By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Photograph credit score: Cameron Spencer/Getty
The Yarra River is not precisely a fountain of youth.
But 38-year-old Gael Monfils continues his timeless tennis move.
Days after turning into the oldest man to win a Tour-level title since 1977 along with his run to the Auckland crown, Monfils was busy turning again time in Melbourne.
Monfils dispatched Daniel Altmaier 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) to make historical past because the fourth man aged 38 or older to succeed in the Australian Open third spherical because the event adopted the complete 128-player singles draw again in 1988.
Monfils joins Dr. Ivo Karlovic (2018), Roger Federer (2020) and Feliciano Lopez (2021) within the elite group of esteemed veterans.
Managing essential factors with confidence, Monfils performed high-percentage factors pumping 37 winners towards 26 unforced errors to succeed in the third spherical for the twelfth time—20 years after he defeated American Robbie Ginepri in his 2005 event debut.
Afterward, Monfils shared the best present the sport has given him.
The whole lot.
“As I all the time say from day one, for me crucial is the well being,” Monfils informed the media in Melbourne. “It is simply part of my life. It’s totally good, stunning.
“Tennis give me every little thing, you recognize, I may even think about, so I’m already blessed. The remaining is bonus.”
Although Monfils has stated prior to now he nonetheless goals of constructing a maiden main closing, as of late he is content material with what he is achieved in his lengthy profession.
“I can end now. I believe I’ve achieved what I need in a manner,” Monfils stated. “If I do extra, it is bonus. I am joyful.”
Going another spherical in Melbourne will likely be an enormous ask.
Subsequent up for Monfils is US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
The fourth-seeded Fritz crushed Cristian Garin allowing simply three video games in an 82-minute win.
Monfils improved to 8-1 in 2025 and stated he goals to maintain driving this successful wave.
“[I] attempt to be constant. You already know, attempt to keep wholesome as a lot as I can,” Monfils stated. “Finish of final 12 months I used to be enjoying fairly nice tennis, felt good, felt a bit brief as a result of I received sick. Then I’ve a time-out and revel in with my daughter. Then I may put up some work.
“I have been lucky in the beginning of the season. Felt the physique good. Felt I used to be hitting good. I am simply browsing on the second.”
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