Frenchman Gael Monfils defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs
The Frenchman Gael Monfils, aged 38, has become the oldest winner since the start of the ATP circuit in 1990 and the oldest of the ‘open’ era since 1977,
when the legendary Ken Rosewall won in Hong Kong at the age of 43.
Frenchman Gael Monfils defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Auckland Open on Saturday and, at 38 years and 4 months, has become the oldest winner since the start of the ATP circuit in 1990 and the oldest of the ‘open’ era since 1977 , when the legendary Ken Rosewall won in Hong Kong at 43 years old.
| Player | Age | Title (since 1990) |
|---|---|---|
| Gael Monfils (France) | 38 years and 4 months | Auckland 2024 |
| Roger Federer (Swiss) | 38 years and 2 months | Basel 2019 |
| Roger Federer (Swiss) | 37 years and 10 months | Halle 2019 |
| Feliciano Lopez (Esp) | 37 years and 9 months | Queen’s 2019 |
Monfils, who won his 13th title in New Zealand, 20 years after his first , showed his determination to win quickly. Relying on his powerful serve, he went 4-1 up in 24 minutes and had no trouble taking the first set 6-3.
In the second set, the Frenchman only had to be aggressive from the baseline and wait for mistakes from an opponent who, coming from the qualifiers, was playing his first final and lost the set 6-4, to surrender the match after one hour and 37 minutes.
“It was my second final as a father and I am happy to have achieved it and to have won. Age is just a number and I was able to show that I still play very good tennis ,” said Monfils after winning a tournament that has been well-suited to the French, who have won three of the last four editions.
This is his 13th title. A good server, very athletic and with a peculiar style of play, bouncing and very showy, Gael has managed to complete a very worthy career. As a junior, he won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He was a semi-finalist, already as a professional, at Roland Garros Final 2008 and the US Open 2016. And he reached the finals of Paris 2009 and 2010 and Monte Carlo 2016.
“It means a lot (to win). Age is just a number ,” Monfils said on Centre Court at the New Zealand tournament. “But we keep working. I still believe I can play high-quality tennis and I’ve been showing that this week, so I’m very happy. (My first title) was 20 years ago. I still have a passion for playing tennis. I feel like I can still hit the ball very well. Hopefully I’ll win many more ,” he said in statements collected by the ATP.
