The ASB Classic in Auckland is always a highlight of the early tennis calendar, but this year’s first-round action carries an extra emotional charge. Fans are treated not only to intriguing matchups—Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard against Roberto Bautista Agut and Fabian Marozsan versus Gael Monfils—but also to the poignant beginning of Monfils’ final season on the ATP Tour. Tuesday, January 13, 2026, marks the start of a chapter filled with nostalgia, ambition, and the unmistakable flair of one of tennis’s most beloved showmen.
Let’s start with the headline act: Gael Monfils. At 39, the Frenchman returns to Auckland as the defending champion, but with a different mindset. "I'm not coming back as a defending champion in my head, because I'm coming back more like it's my last tournament in Auckland, ever. Of course, if I can somehow win again, it would be amazing. I'm not defending anything this year; I'm just winning by being on the court. I'm getting a bit old, so it's not easy. I have played only a couple of matches after the grass season. I was really tired after Auckland and Melbourne last year. I even hurt myself a bit in my legs. I felt like I was on the edge, and that was when I started considering retirement. I could not sustain that level for three or four tournaments, and it meant something. After Australia, I will likely travel to South America and reduce my schedule. Roland Garros will be the most important tournament. I love Indian Wells and Miami. If I can play there, in Monte Carlo and in New York, it would be amazing. I would be lucky to enter 12 tournaments this season. When I retire, I will work in finance. My wife will still play tennis, and I will be at home with our daughter. I will take a break from tennis and not travel that much," Monfils shared candidly ahead of his first match.
Monfils’s journey to this point has been defined by resilience and joy. Last year, he stunned the field in Auckland, becoming one of the oldest champions on tour, and then made headlines by toppling Taylor Fritz at the Australian Open en route to the second week. But those achievements came at a physical cost. The grind of back-to-back tournaments left him fatigued and nursing injuries, which forced him to take a hard look at his future in the sport. Now, as he embarks on his final campaign, Monfils is determined to savor every moment, prioritizing enjoyment and legacy over rankings and trophies.
His first-round opponent, Fabian Marozsan, presents a significant challenge. The Hungarian, ranked No. 52 in the world and 13 years Monfils’s junior, has enjoyed a solid run of form, reaching quarterfinals in Beijing and Almaty last fall. Marozsan’s 2026 campaign began with a first-round loss in Hong Kong, but he arrives in Auckland with valuable match play under his belt. Their head-to-head history is nothing short of dramatic: all three previous encounters have gone the distance, with Marozsan winning a third-set tiebreaker at this very event in 2024, and Monfils edging out two victories in Miami and Monte Carlo last spring.
The point-by-point breakdown of their latest Auckland clash reads like a tennis thriller, with momentum swinging wildly and both players refusing to yield ground. Every service game was a battle, every break point a potential turning point. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, and it’s no wonder—the stakes are higher than ever for Monfils, who’s not just playing for a win, but for one last memory in a city that’s been so kind to him.
Meanwhile, on the adjacent court, another compelling story unfolds: Roberto Bautista Agut’s return to competitive tennis. The 37-year-old Spaniard, a two-time Auckland champion (2016, 2018), hasn’t played a match since the 2025 U.S. Open and recently withdrew from Brisbane qualifying. Despite these setbacks, Bautista Agut received a main-draw wild card for the ASB Classic, thanks to his sterling 13-3 lifetime record in Auckland. But questions linger—after months away from the tour, can he recapture the form that once made him a perennial threat?
His opponent, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, is a rising French star at just 22 years old and currently ranked No. 90. Mpetshi Perricard arrives in New Zealand brimming with confidence after a quarterfinal showing in Brisbane, where he outlasted both Tommy Paul and Rinky Hijikata in tense third-set tiebreakers. Although he eventually bowed out to Aleksandar Kovacevic, the young Frenchman’s preparation and match sharpness stand in stark contrast to Bautista Agut’s recent inactivity.
The clash between youth and experience is a classic tennis narrative, and Auckland fans are in for a treat as they watch these two generations collide. Mpetshi Perricard’s powerful serve and fearless approach will test Bautista Agut’s renowned consistency and court craft. For the Spaniard, the match is more than just a comeback—it’s a chance to prove he still belongs among the game’s elite, even as the next wave of talent surges forward.
Back to Monfils, it’s clear that his final season is about more than just results. He’s embracing the opportunity to compete in his favorite tournaments—Roland Garros, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and the US Open all feature on his wish list, health permitting. Roland Garros, in particular, stands out as the emotional centerpiece of his farewell tour. Monfils has made peace with the physical limitations that come with age and has mapped out a lighter schedule, hoping to play around 12 events before hanging up his racquet for good.
Life after tennis is already taking shape for Monfils. He plans to transition into the world of finance, spending more time at home with his daughter while his wife, Elina Svitolina, continues her own tennis career. In fact, Monfils was recently spotted courtside in Auckland, supporting Svitolina as she lifted the trophy—proof that the Monfils-Svitolina household remains a powerhouse in the tennis world.
As for the matches themselves, the action is ongoing and the outcome is far from certain. Will Monfils conjure up one last magical run in Auckland, or will Marozsan’s youth and reliability prevail? Can Bautista Agut roll back the years and remind everyone why he’s a two-time champion here, or will Mpetshi Perricard announce himself as a new force to be reckoned with?
One thing’s for sure: the 2026 ASB Classic is already delivering on drama, nostalgia, and high-quality tennis. With legends making their final bows and young guns eager to seize the spotlight, Auckland is once again the stage for stories that will linger long after the final ball has been struck. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes remain fixed on the courts, where the past, present, and future of tennis collide in spectacular fashion.
