Gael Monfils marked his 40th birthday in style by making a remarkable comeback to win his opening match at the US Open. The French tennis star came from behind to defeat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo with a score of 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday night, securing his spot in the second round.
Monfils had a shaky start and let Vallejo take the lead early in the first set. However, once he found his rhythm, the match shifted decisively in his direction. He dominated the second set, controlled the third, and didn’t allow his Paraguayan opponent to gain any ground.
During the match, Monfils delivered 37 stunning winners, thrilling the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium with his signature athletic shots and impressive jump shots. He capped off his four-set victory with a powerful ace.
Playing in New York on his birthday held special meaning for Monfils. “It was definitely special to play on my 40th birthday,” he said in an on-court interview as the audience sang “Happy Birthday” for him.
“The energy here is electric. I always enjoy playing in this atmosphere, and I aim to put on a great show. Let’s keep it going into the second round!” he added.
Among the audience supporting him was his wife, Elina Svitolina, who chose to cheer him on despite having her own singles match to prepare for the next day. The couple previously competed together in the mixed doubles at this year’s US Open, where they reached the semi-finals. Svitolina returned to the stands to show her support as Monfils embarked on his final journey in Flushing Meadows.
When asked if she had gotten him a birthday gift, Monfils shared that she gifted him a watch to celebrate this milestone. “I think she’s playing tomorrow, so it’s a wonderful effort for her to be here,” he remarked. “It was an amazing gift. If I can say so, she gave me a fantastic watch for my 40th.”
His win took on extra significance because just a day prior, fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka played in the last Grand Slam match of his career. Monfils has already announced that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, which makes each tournament feel more meaningful. However, he showed no signs of slowing down as he rallied from an early setback, enjoying the electric atmosphere in the stadium.
Monfils has experienced some of his finest moments in New York, including reaching the semi-finals in 2016. He will face American Learner Tien in the second round, a player who previously beat him in three sets at a match in Montreal last month. After that encounter, the 20-year-old even asked for Monfils’s autograph.
With this victory, Monfils has set the stage for what could be an exciting continuation of his US Open journey.
