"It has been overwhelming, that's why I threw myself on the floor"

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A Grand Slam day always leaves us with several protagonists, although there is no doubt about the one from this Tuesday at the 2026 Australian Open. That role fell into the hands of Dane Sweeny, a 24-year-old Australian who managed to defeat none other than Gael Monfils.

Do you remember when was the most important day of your life? Dane Sweeny remembers it perfectly, because it has been today. Outside the top 150, at 24 years old, and in his second Grand Slam main draw, the Australian made headlines after beating Gael Monfils in the first round of the Australian Open. Just as the Frenchman was playing his last match here, the Penrith native secured his first victory to start building his legacy. Everything that has happened since the match point has been memorable, but it's best to hear him recount it in his own words.

A Unique Moment

"It has been overwhelming right from the start. It was amazing, deafening, it put a smile on my face. I felt a lot of gratitude for being lucky enough to be in that position, whether I won or lost. I was very excited to play in front of the crowd; I really enjoy playing in front of all these people, it's what I've worked so hard for all this time. I was nervous, for sure, I felt a lot of emotion at that moment."

Difficult to Explain in Words

"I felt a bit of disbelief, euphoria, many things. I almost felt like I was in a dream because it was quite an incredible moment. It's not just about winning the first round of a Grand Slam but also doing it at the Australian Open and facing an incredible atmosphere. Moreover, defeating a legend of the game like Gael Monfils, it was a pinch-myself moment. The feeling is overwhelming, I think it's evident, which is why I fell to the ground."

His Level in the Last Set

"I don't think I was surprised by how I handled the moment. I've been paving the way mentally and playing a lot of good tennis; so no, I wasn't surprised. I think it's these big moments that bring out the best in me. I really feel the energy from the crowd and the moment, so I try to seize the opportunity and not shy away. At the end of the day, this is what I do, this is what I live for, if I don't embrace it, I'll never be among the best."

What did Dane Sweeny feel playing against Gael Monfils?

"At some point, my mind was telling me that somehow it was okay to lose. I was playing against Gael Monfils, that's already worth everything. I guess I had to let go of that part of me that was okay with losing; I had to take everything as it came. Obviously, I wanted to do the best I could, give a good performance, and try to beat him. So yes, I had to let go of that part of me, that's why I'm grateful. It's an amazing thing; when I saw the draw, I was so happy, it was pure emotion."

Same Routine in a Grand Slam

"It's all the same to me; there were a lot of nerves, much more mental noise, but the preparation is the same. I keep training the same way, maybe the facilities for recovery are a bit better here, maybe I recover better because it's a Grand Slam. Playing on a stage like this has allowed me to bring my girlfriend, my father, my coach, and one of my best friends. I have a lot of family here; I was hearing my sister all the time, I don't have this in any other week of the year. That's the only difference, but it's amazing."

Focused on Exploring His Best Version

"It depends on what I'm feeling at each moment; it's about doing my best at every moment, putting in my best effort to move forward no matter the mental noise present. I'm committed to this, going for every point and playing with clarity, playing with courage. Regardless of the external noise, I want to do the best I can and compete to the best of my ability."

Awaiting Shelton in the Second Round

"People love watching Shelton, so we'll play on a big court. Once again, I'm very excited for the opportunity to play against a great player like him. I was really expecting to play Alcaraz or Sinner in the first round, so playing Shelton in the second round is a consolation prize. I appreciate the chance to play on a big court and against a great player like him to test myself. It will be tough; he may have the best serve in the world, so it will be a puzzle to solve. I'm excited; it will surely be a great match."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Ha sido abrumador, por eso me he tirado al suelo”