The 38-year-old veteran grabs his 13th title – and makes history in the process.
Oldie Gael Monfils has won the title at the ATP tournament in Auckland, making tennis history in the process. His 6-3, 6-4 victory in the final over Belgian Zizou Bergs made the 38-year-old Frenchman the oldest tournament winner on the ATP Tour, which has existed in its current form since 1990. He thus replaced Roger Federer, who was two months younger when he triumphed in Basel in 2019.
“Age is a number, but I keep working,” said Monfils, who celebrated his 13th tournament victory overall: ”I still believe I can play top-class tennis, and I showed that this week, so I’m very happy.”
Monfils, who won his first title on the tour in 2005, is now traveling to Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year with a lot of momentum. The crowd favorite from Paris will face his compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Australian Open (starting Sunday).
“After 20 years, I still have a passion for tennis,” said Monfils. ‘I still feel like I’m hitting a very good ball and hope there are many more titles to come.’