09/01/26 08:54:00
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09/01 20:52 CDT Gael Monfils wins on his 40th birthday at the US Open to extend
his Grand Slam career
Gael Monfils wins on his 40th birthday at the US Open to extend his Grand Slam
career
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Gael Monfils stood in the middle of the court and bowed to
the crowd that was treating the Frenchman to a roaring ovation on his 40th
birthday.
The match was still a ways from ending. But after leaping in the air to smash a
forehand winner --- a daredevil shot that few outside one of tennis' ultimate
showmen might even attempt --- there was no reason to wait.
Monfils turned back the clock and pushed back the end of his Grand Slam career,
beating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday night at the U.S.
Open.
Monfils became the oldest man to win a U.S. Open match since Jimmy Connors ---
another guy who loved to put on a show in New York --- defeated Jaime Oncins on
Sept. 2, 1992, when he turned 40.
"That was definitely very special. To play the day of my 40th birthday is
special. You guys made it, like, incredible," Monfils said to the fans at Louis
Armstrong Stadium, who then sang happy birthday to him.
Monfils is planning to retire after this year and is making a few more memories
along the way at the tournament where he reached the 2016 semifinals. He began
the event by teaming up with his wife, Elina Svitolina, to reach the mixed
doubles semifinals in their first time competing together.
Then, before the singles play began, he looked ahead toward his looming
milestone birthday.
"I hit my 40th birthday the day I play, so this is a big milestone for me, able
to play at 40," Monfils said. "I want to do, not good but really good, for
where I am now."
He did amazing.
He quickly began to outplay Vallejo after dropping the first set, then really
poured it on to begin the fourth. It was 1-0 when he hit his leaping forehand
winner, then raised his hand toward his ear and spun it to encourage cheers
that were already well underway.
He went on to earn his first Grand Slam win since the first round of Wimbledon
in 2025 and advanced to face American Learner Tien, the No. 14 seed.
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