In a jaw-dropping display of resilience and brilliance, Gael Monfils has stormed into his 35th ATP final, sending shockwaves through the tennis world. At 38 years and four months old, the French maestro has etched his name into the annals of history, becoming the second-oldest ATP finalist since the Tour’s inception in 1990. Only the towering Ivo Karlovic stands ahead of him, with Monfils outpacing legends like Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. Yes, you read that right—Monfils has done what many deemed impossible!
From the Brink of Defeat to the Doorstep of Glory
Monfils’ Auckland campaign has been nothing short of miraculous. His opening-round match against Pedro Martinez seemed destined for disaster. Trailing 6-1, 5-2, Monfils appeared to be on the brink of an unceremonious exit. But the veteran dug deep, summoning a Herculean effort to turn the tide. With grit and guile, he clawed back, stealing the match in a nail-biting decider.
After dodging that bullet, Monfils found his rhythm. He dismantled Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round and eased past Facundo Diaz Acosta in the quarters. Then came the semi-final showdown against 19-year-old American prodigy Nishesh Basavareddy—a clash of generations that tested Monfils’ mettle.
Masterclass Under Pressure
In an hour and 46 minutes of electric tennis, Monfils demonstrated why experience matters. The opening set was a rollercoaster, with Basavareddy squandering game points in three consecutive return games. Monfils, calm and calculating, seized the tiebreak with ruthless precision.
The second set was no less dramatic. Basavareddy held firm until 4-4, when a single lapse in concentration cost him dearly. Monfils pounced, delivering a decisive break before serving out the match with ice-cold composure. Despite Basavareddy’s brilliance—losing just 15 points on his serve—Monfils’ ability to capitalize on key moments proved the difference.
A Milestone for the Ages
By reaching the Auckland final, Monfils joins an exclusive club as the ninth player in the Open Era to contest at least one ATP final after turning 38. This feat underscores his extraordinary longevity in a sport dominated by younger, faster players. Between 2005 and 2023, Monfils reached at least one ATP final every year, a streak interrupted only in 2024. Now, in 2025, he’s back with a vengeance.
Eyes on the Prize
Monfils’ next challenge is qualifier Zizou Bergs in the final. Should he win, it will mark his first ATP title since Stockholm 2023—a fitting reward for a man who refuses to let age define his destiny.
For now, Monfils stands as a beacon of inspiration, proving that with determination and passion, the impossible becomes possible. As he takes to the court in Auckland, the tennis world watches, captivated by the ageless wonder who continues to defy expectations.