Gael Monfils Celebrates 40th Birthday with Historic US Open Victory
Monfils Shines on His Special Day
File image of Gael Monfils(Photo: @Tiempodetenis1/X)
New York, Sep 2: Gael Monfils kicked off his 18th and final US Open appearance with a remarkable win against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, ensuring his Grand Slam journey continues for at least one more match and making his 40th birthday unforgettable.
In a nostalgic performance, Monfils triumphed over Vallejo with a score of 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0, delighting a full house at Louis Armstrong Stadium. This victory marked his 34th win at the US Open, setting a record for the most wins by a French player in the tournament's history.
At 40, Monfils became only the third player in the last five decades to win a match at the US Open after turning 40, joining the ranks of Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors, according to tournament statistics.
“Turning 40 is special, and playing well made it even more memorable,” Monfils remarked. “I can’t recall my best birthday, but it was definitely with my family. This one will definitely rank in my top 10.”
The former world No. 6 had previously announced that he would retire after the 2026 season. He received a warm reception from the New York audience during the mixed doubles event, where he played alongside his wife, Elina Svitolina.
Among the supporters in the stands was his wife, WTA star Svitolina, who cheered him on during this significant birthday. The couple had recently reached the mixed doubles semi-finals together, and Svitolina was there to back Monfils on his special day.
Next, Monfils will compete against Learner Tien in the second round. Tien, a 20-year-old American, won their previous encounter in Montreal last month, where he even asked Monfils for an autograph after their match.