Gael Monfils, at the age of 38, has made history at the Australian Open, defeating fourth seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4 to advance to the tournament's fourth round. This remarkable comeback not only showcased Monfils' tenacity but also established him as one of only two men to reach this stage at age 38 or older since the tournament field expanded to 128 players back in 1988, joining the legendary Roger Federer.
The atmosphere inside Margaret Court Arena was electric as Monfils celebrated his victory with infectious joy, dancing on the baseline after sealing the match with a powerful 134 mph ace—his 24th of the match, which was double the total of Fritz. Fans cheered exuberantly, many waving red, white, and blue French flags—a visual representation of Monfils' popularity.
“It was really tough to hurt him. He just got back everything,” Fritz admitted, clearly feeling the effects of Monfils’ resilient playing style. The American found it frustrating to break Monfils’ rhythm throughout the match, noting, “I felt like I wasn’t even hitting.”
Monfils, who started the season with a title at the Auckland tournament, claimed his experience and hard work paid off. “Just fortunate,” he reflected after the match. “But every day is different. We work hard. I try to be very disciplined with the recovery.” His focus on discipline and self-belief is evident as he attributes much of his success to these principles.
Despite Monfils not having progressed past the quarterfinals at the Australian Open before, he appeared determined to change his narrative this year. “With a little luck, here we are in the second week of the Australian Open,” he remarked. His recent performances have hinted at the possibility of this dream becoming reality.
Monfils faced Fritz, who was seen as the favorite and had recently become the runner-up at the U.S. Open. This loss for Fritz, who is currently ranked number four, marked him as the highest seed to exit the tournament early, continuing his history of challenging Australian Open campaigns. Fritz noted, “If he can continue to play the way he played today for five sets, he’s going to be tough for anyone to beat.”
The match itself was thrilling, with Monfils displaying his trademark charisma and athleticism. He managed to hit 58 winners compared to Fritz’s 22, showing the effectiveness of his strategy as he outmaneuvered his opponent. While Fritz started strong and took the first set, Monfils demonstrated incredible resilience to fight back.
Fritz battled through injury, especially as his right foot was treated by trainers during the match, but he could not shake off Monfils' relentless energy. Having dropped just one service game and winning 11 of 15 points he finished at the net, Monfils was able to capitalize on Fritz's weaknesses and consistently pressure him.
The win also holds sentimental value for Monfils, who is married to tennis star Elina Svitolina. Just hours after his victory, he expressed support for Svitolina, stating cheekily, “I warmed up the court for her,” before rooting her on as she prepared to face her own fourth-seeded opponent. Monfils’ playful demeanor and connection to Svitolina added layers to the day's events.
Looking forward, Monfils was set to face either 22-year-old Ben Shelton or Lorenzo Musetti in the next round. With his age-defying performance, fans and commentators alike will be watching closely to see if Monfils can sustain his momentum and make a serious run at the title.
Indeed, this match not only marks Monfils' first appearance in the second week of a Grand Slam since 2022 but also signifies his first win over a top-five player at one of these tournaments since 2008. His victory provides hope and excitement for fans who always believed he had more left to give to the sport.
Monfils said it best post-match: “I’ve done the job.” If this match is any indication, he may just be getting started.