Monfils to defend Auckland title
The ageless Gael Monfils will return to the Auckland Classic in January to defend his title, a year after becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour crown.
The flamboyant Frenchman, who turns 39 next month, beat Belgian Zizou Bergs in the 2025 final, making him the oldest player to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall triumphed in Hong Kong aged 43 in 1977.
Monfils, a 13-time ATP champion and former world No 6, is the first player confirmed for the 2026 tournament, organisers said today.
"I love the game. I love to compete," Monfils said in a statement.
"This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget."
The tennis showman remains a huge crowd drawcard, capable of pulling off big wins in his inimitable style.
Monfils dumped fourth seed Taylor Fritz on a run to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Monfils to defend Auckland title
Gael Monfils celebrates the win in Auckland this year. The ageless Gael Monfils will return to the Auckland Classic in January to defend his title, a year after becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour crown. The flamboyant Frenchman, who turns 39 next month, beat Belgian Zizou Bergs in the 2025 final, making him the oldest player to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall triumphed in Hong Kong aged 43 in 1977. Monfils, a 13-time ATP champion and former world No 6, is the first player confirmed for the 2026 tournament, organisers said today. "I love the game. I love to compete," Monfils said in a statement. "This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget." The tennis showman remains a huge crowd drawcard, capable of pulling off big wins in his inimitable style. Monfils dumped fourth seed Taylor Fritz on a run to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Defending Champion Gael Monfils To Return To ASB Classic In Auckland
French superstar Gael Monfils, who thrilled fans on the way to victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year, will defend his title in January. Monfils is the first player announced for the 2026 ASB Classic with tickets on sale from today for the WTA Women's event from January 5 to 11 and the ATP Men's tournament from January 12 to 17 at the Manuka Doctor Arena. The Frenchman is currently competing in his 21st season as a professional, beginning the year with victory at the ASB Classic, where he became the oldest player to win a title on the ATP Tour. The 38-year-old has never finished a season outside the Top 100 since he joined the ATP Tour in 2004. Monfils has won 13 ATP titles, reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 and has won his way to at least one final in 20 consecutive seasons. Monfils, who turns 39 in September, is the only current player to have achieved these accomplishments. Last year he also became the record holder for most major wins by a French player. The Frenchman remains one of the fastest and most flamboyant players on the Tour. 'I love the game. I love to compete. I am very passionate and I love waking up and getting ready for matches so I can be the best that I can. I feel that is what keeps me going,' Monfils said in confirming his entry for the 2026 ASB Classic. 'Of course I still want to win tournaments. Obviously, I want to keep on enjoying it, and keep playing more-and-more great matches against great players. For me I want to keep on enjoying playing.' Following his victory in Auckland this year, he reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open. In doing so, the Frenchman prevailed three tiebreakers in his five-set win over wonderkid Mpetshi Perricard and a four-set win over American World #4 Taylor Fritz including two tiebreaks. Monfils retains positive memories of his title win at the ASB Classic, as well as his time in Auckland. 'I still remember the tournament fondly. It was an amazing week and I played some amazing tennis,' he said in confirming his return to the ASB Classic. 'I got lucky because I was down a set and a break in the first round against Pedro Martinez but somehow, I found a solution. 'This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget. I love the tournament.' Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said the ASB Classic is thrilled to have Monfils return. 'It is good to have a champion back. However at nearly 39, we should not take for granted that he will play forever, and we should enjoy watching him while we can. 'He is a wonderful person and still perhaps the most entertaining player in the world,' said Lamperin. 'We could not have hoped for a better or bigger name to announce as we go on sale. 'I am in negotiations with a range of players for both tournaments, and we expect to confirm several others in the coming weeks.' Lamperin said that the increased court size and new replacement grandstand will also add value to the centre-court experience at the ASB Classic. Tickets are on sale from today at – including tickets and hospitality opportunities for both the WTA and ATP events.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Crowd favourite Gael Monfils to defend ASB Classic title
Gael Monfils with the ASB Classic Trophy after his win in January. Photo: ASB Classic champion Gaël Monfils will defend his title in January. The Frenchman, a crowd favourite in Auckland, is the first player announced for the 2026 tournament. Monfils, who turns 39 next month, became the oldest player to win on the ATP Tour with his victory over Belgian Zizou Bergs in the Auckland final at the start of the year. He was also the oldest to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall won the Hong Kong Trophy as a 43-year-old in 1977. "I love the game. I love to compete. I am very passionate and I love waking up and getting ready for matches so I can be the best that I can. I feel that is what keeps me going," Monfils said after confirming his return to Auckland. "This title means a lot to me. It was definitely a week I will not forget. I love the tournament." The Frenchman is in his 21st season as a professional and has never finished a season outside the top 100 players since he joined the ATP Tour in 2004. He has won 13 ATP titles. Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin said it was thrilling that Monfils was returning. "It is good to have a champion back. However at nearly 39, we should not take for granted that he will play forever, and we should enjoy watching him while we can. "He is a wonderful person and still perhaps the most entertaining player in the world. "We could not have hoped for a better or bigger name to announce as we go on sale. "I am in negotiations with a range of players for both tournaments, and we expect to confirm several others in the coming weeks." Lamperin said the increased court size and new replacement grandstand at the Stanley St venue would add value to the centre-court experience. Tickets sales for the women's and men's tournaments in Auckland went on sale on Tuesday.
