Gael Monfils Makes History with Auckland Title Victory

Gael Monfils made history by becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour singles title, claiming victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The 38-year-old Frenchman defeated Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the final, securing his 13th career title. At 38 years and four months old, Monfils surpassed Roger Federer, who held the previous record at 38 years and two months when he won the Basel title in 2019.

Monfils, reflecting on his achievement, said, “Age is just a number,” emphasizing his continued belief in his ability to play high-quality tennis. With this win, Monfils also became the oldest man to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall, who was 43 when he triumphed in Hong Kong in 1977. Despite limited victories in his 20-year career, Monfils expressed his pride in reaching this milestone.

Ranked world number 52, Monfils will now travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open where he will face rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round. Meanwhile, in Adelaide, Madison Keys triumphed in an all-American final, overcoming top seed Jessica Pegula 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 to win the Adelaide International. Despite struggling with a leg injury, Keys powered through claiming her ninth WTA title.

Pegula, playing her first tournament since withdrawing from the WTA Finals due to a knee injury, had to settle for runner-up. In men’s tennis, Felix Auger-Aliassime clinched his sixth ATP Tour title by beating American Sebastian Korda 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. This marks the Canadian’s first title since 2023. The results set the stage for an exciting Australian Open with both Gael Monfils and Madison Keys aiming for further success.