At 38 years old, Gael Monfils is defying time and expectations. The French showman delivered a vintage performance on Saturday, toppling World No. 4 Taylor Fritz in a four-set thriller to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open, cementing his status as a fan favorite and proving age is just a number.
Gael Monfils continues to turn back the clock. Less than a week after making history as the oldest ATP Tour title winner in nearly 50 years, the Frenchman overcame a first-set loss to defeat Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(1), 6-4 in front of a captivated Melbourne crowd. The victory marks his eighth consecutive win and a place in yet another chapter of his illustrious career.
“As I always say, I keep playing for these matches,” Monfils said, the joy evident in his voice. “A big player, big stadium, good crowd, good energy. When you’re 38 years old, (exactly) what I want.”
Monfils executed a flawless game plan, mixing off-speed shots with bursts of aggression to frustrate Fritz’s rhythm. The turning point came in the third-set tiebreak, where Monfils’s precision and poise left the American scrambling. A decisive break at 4-all in the fourth set, capped by a signature dipping backhand, sealed the upset.
Beyond the numbers, it was Monfils’s infectious energy and trademark flair that had the crowd roaring. With his 37th win at the Australian Open, Monfils tied compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the most victories by a Frenchman at the tournament. He also became the second-oldest man, after Roger Federer, to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
Next up, Monfils faces Ben Shelton, setting the stage for a generational showdown. As for Fritz, his early-season form stuttered, though he remains locked in at World No. 4 unless Alex de Minaur claims the title.
