For most of the late 2010s, men's tennis was an old man's game. The powerful trio of Serbia's Novak Djokovic, Switzerland's Roger Federer and Spain's Rafael Nadal held on long past the point even the most optimistic fans thought they would.
Since then, younger stars like Spain's Carlos Alcaraz have had their say—but France's Gael Monfils struck a blow for the old guard Friday in Auckland.
Monfils defeated Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6–3, 6–4 to win the ASB Classic and become the oldest tournament winner in the history of the ATP Tour. In fact, at 38, Monfils is the oldest winner of any tour-level tennis tournament since Australian Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall won in 1977 the month of his 43rd birthday.
Gael Monfils has become the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title in history, overtaking Roger Federer’s record which had stood since 2019.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 11, 2025
The Frenchman is 38 years, four months and seven days old.
🔗: https://t.co/QIqwqillLs pic.twitter.com/DArMJzEOnw
Gael Monfils becomes the oldest tour-level champion since 1977.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 11, 2025
38 years old.
Passion that never dies.
🇫🇷❤️ pic.twitter.com/wKzv2tgTVg
The landmark victory—Monfils's 13th—comes two days before he opens Australian Open play against countryman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Monfils has made two quarterfinal runs in that tournament—one in 2016 and one in 2022.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Gaël Monfils, 38, Becomes Oldest Men's Tennis Tour Champion Since 1977 in Auckland.