After an impressive run in Melbourne, French tennis veteran Gaël Monfils, aged 38, ultimately succumbed to 22-year-old American Ben Shelton on Monday, losing 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 0-1 (retired).
A Spirited Effort in Melbourne
Monfils’ journey at the Australian Open ended with heavy legs but high praise. On January 20, he fought valiantly for three sets in the Round of 16 against Ben Shelton before being forced to retire in the fourth set. The match, which lasted nearly three hours, showcased Monfils’ resilience and skill as he pushed the 22-year-old American to tie-breaks in each of the first three sets.
The Australian crowd at Rod Laver Arena gave Monfils a standing ovation as he left the court. Known as the “French veteran” in the Southern Hemisphere, he stood toe-to-toe with Shelton, both players standing tall at 6’4”. Each set was decided by the finest of margins in tie-breaks.
Battling Until the End
The first set saw Monfils falter on a double fault during the tie-break, gifting the opener to Shelton in a set where neither player faced a break point. Monfils bounced back in the second set, dominating the tie-break with his trademark grit and athleticism. The Frenchman thrilled the crowd with his defensive mastery, including a remarkable rally of 18 shots that exemplified his tenacity.
The third set began with promise. Monfils broke Shelton’s serve for the first time at 2-1 after a grueling 20-shot rally. However, Shelton responded immediately, leveling the score after an intense baseline exchange. The American, ranked 20th in the world, saved a break point in the following game and regained control of the set, ultimately securing it in another tie-break with two decisive cross-court forehand winners.
The fourth set proved too much for Monfils, who appeared physically drained and unable to maintain his movement. Despite vocal support from French fans shouting, “Come on, Monfils, you’ve got more in you!” the Parisian decided to retire early in the set, ending his valiant campaign.
A Stellar Start to the Season
Despite his exit, Monfils’ performance in Melbourne capped off a remarkable start to his 2024 season. Just days earlier, he had defeated Taylor Fritz, the world number four, in a thrilling third-round match (3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4), marking his first Grand Slam victory over a top-five player since 2008.
Monfils has been in exceptional form since December 31, achieving eight consecutive wins, including a historic triumph at the ATP tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. At 38, he became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour event since the circuit’s inception in 1990.
This incredible run propelled Monfils to the top of the ATP Race rankings for the 2024 season. In 11 matches this year, his only loss came against Novak Djokovic on January 2 in Brisbane.
Though his Australian Open journey ended prematurely, Monfils has proven that he remains a force to be reckoned with in professional tennis, defying age and continuing to inspire fans worldwide.
