Monfils celebrates his 40th birthday with a magnificent victory

There are many ways to turn 40 years old. Gaël Monfils has chosen his: winning a Grand Slam match while playing as if time had not passed. The Frenchman defeated Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, and 6-0 in his debut at the US Open, turning a night filled with symbolism into another demonstration that when La Monf takes to the court, age is just a number.

Because Monfils didn’t just win. After a challenging first set, he reacted with spectacular authority and overwhelmed the Paraguayan. From there, the player that New York has adored for so many years appeared: impossible shots, endless defenses, magical changes of direction, and a gliding ability across the court that remains hard to explain. The crowd at Louis Armstrong once again enjoyed the vintage Monfils, the player who in his prime seemed unbeatable.

And perhaps the most beautiful part of the night is precisely that. The Frenchman is competing in his last Grand Slam, having announced that he will end his career at the season's close. This US Open is, therefore, his last opportunity to write another page in the history of great stages.

Gael just made his 40th one to remember 🎉

Monfils seals a historic four-set victory to celebrate his birthday in style! pic.twitter.com/GAR1V1GhxD

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 2, 2026

The last dance starts with a smile

Monfils wanted this day to be special. Turning 40 and playing his final Grand Slam could become an overly emotional farewell. But he found the perfect way to face it. Simply by bringing out his best tennis.

Today there was no nostalgia. There was spectacle. There were races like those of a young man. There were smiles, impossible shots, and a victory that allows him to keep dreaming. At this stage of his career, perhaps Monfils no longer needs to win titles to be remembered. He only needs nights like this. Because if this is truly his last US Open, La Monf just gave himself the best possible start to his farewell.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Monfils celebra su 40 cumpleaños con una victoria prodigiosa