Monfils: "I can still bother the young at 40 years old"

Gael Monfils has been, is, and will always be a special tennis player, a unique personality, and a man capable of conveying his passion for tennis regardless of his title record. The impact of the Frenchman on this sport goes far beyond the titles he has won, and winning a match at the US Open at the age of 40 represents another step in his eternal legacy.

He managed to defeat the Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo by a surprising score of 2-6 6-1 6-2 6-0, taking over the New York night, maintaining a genuine connection with the audience and making his tennis shine brightly under the lights. Explosive, flexible, passionate, and more aggressive than usual, the Frenchman gave himself the best possible 40th birthday gift by winning another Grand Slam match and joining Jimmy Connors as the only players in US Open history to win a match after reaching that age.

In the last 40 years, only two men have won a match at the US Open after turning 40:

- Jimmy Connors, the day he turned 40
- Gael Monfils, the day he turned 40 pic.twitter.com/5y7UrNotlH

— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 2, 2026

This is what Monfils said after winning at the US Open at 40 years old

Monfils explains how he went from tension to "cruise control"

The match started with many difficulties for the Frenchman, who had numerous break points but failed to capitalize on them and ended up losing the first set. However, he knew that his feelings during the training sessions had been positive and found a way to translate them into the match.

"The beginning was a bit slow. I had a lot of break points and didn't take advantage of them. I think I was a bit tense. I knew I had been hitting well during practice, so it was just a matter of time."

"In the first set, there was a lot of tension. I was a bit scared to give 100% because I don't have a huge tank. I managed to get that out of my head. I thought: 'I'm not hitting that badly'. In the previous days, I was hitting well."

"When I stopped overthinking and focused on the match in front of me, everything changed. I started to feel that I could play, that I could hurt him, and when I felt he was under pressure, I could be in 'cruise control'."

Monfils' preparation in the United States despite playing few tournaments

"It has been very difficult. Not playing many tournaments is very tough. You have to find the balance between having enough good training with great players and having enough confidence to face those guys since they play week after week after week."

"For me, this US tour has been good because I have been able to practice every day with top players. I have been able to train with very good players, and that has allowed me to regain my rhythm and confidence."

"I needed to find that balance: enough good training with great players and then have the confidence to compete. It has been a long tour, but it has been beneficial for me because I have been able to practice every day with high-level players."

Tactical keys to Monfils' victory at the US Open

"I used my backhand slice quite a bit. Also my forehand and my second serve. When I started to feel that I could put him under pressure, I could play more freely. When you have your opponent under pressure, you can get into that 'cruise control' state and play much more easily."

Monfils explains why he continues to play so well at 40

At 40 years old, the Frenchman is fully aware that his body doesn't respond exactly as it did during his prime. But his outlook on the situation is much more positive: he feels that experience and game knowledge allow him to offer a different, and in some aspects, more effective version of himself.

"I'm not in my prime, that's clear, but I play better. I'm here to enjoy. I feel that I am a bit harder to handle for the younger players. At 40, it’s important to win at least one match, play well, and be competitive. "I wanted to win at least one match, play well, and be competitive. Now that I'm 40, that's fine. With my experience, when you have a bit of luck, you can take advantage of it," he explained.

A 40th birthday that Monfils ranks among the best

The victory gained even more value by occurring precisely on his 40th birthday. Monfils recalled that the best birthdays are still those he has been able to share with his family, although he acknowledged that this day in New York will hold a prominent place among his memories.

"My best birthday was with my family. But tonight was special. 40 years old and playing a good match. It was special. I'm going to rank it in the top 10 of the best birthdays of my life."

Monfils wants to make the most of the time he has left

"It’s harder to be competitive at this stage of my career, but somehow it brings me more happiness, more joy. I want to enjoy the time I have. When I try things and they work, that produces happiness for me. I'm here to enjoy. It’s important for me to play well and be competitive at this age."

What Gael Monfils is doing for tennis is immense and deserves a joy like the one he experienced at the US Open 2026. His contribution to the growth of this sport, putting on a show beyond results, constitutes the best possible legacy for a man who will try to prolong his adventure in New York against Learner Tien.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Monfils: "Sigo pudiendo molestar a los jóvenes con 40 años"