By Afiur
September 02, 2026
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.
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.
Monfils became the oldest man to win a U.S. Open match since Jimmy Connors.
Monfils is planning to retire after this year and is making a few more memories along the way at the tournament.
He began the event by teaming up with his wife, Elina Svitolina, to reach the mixed doubles semifinals in their first time competing together.