Monfils Makes History as Oldest Player to Win ATP Title in Auckland

Photo : AFP

At 38 years and 4 months old, Gael Monfils became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title. He won the Auckland Classic on Saturday by beating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4. This win made Monfils the oldest ATP Tour winner, beating Roger Federer, who was 38 years and 2 months when he won a title in 2019.

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This was Monfils’ 13th ATP title, almost 20 years after he won his first in Sopot, Poland, in 2005. He stayed strong and saved break points while serving for the match. The crowd gave him a standing ovation when Bergs missed a shot on the first match point.

Monfils said on court, "Age is just a number, but we keep working. I’m still hitting the ball well. Hopefully, there are many more wins to come."

Monfils is now the oldest player to win a title since Australian tennis star Ken Rosewall won the Hong Kong Open at 43 in 1977.

Monfils, ranked 52nd in the world, will play against fellow French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Australian Open. His Auckland win gave him a boost ahead of the big tournament.