A little tour and then it’s gone. Gaël Monfils’ last dance at the Australian Open was briefer than expected for the French camp. The “Monf”, who announced that he would retire at the end of the season, was eliminated Tuesday in the first round of the Australian Grand Slam by the inexperienced Australian Dane Sweeny (182nd in the world).
A setback in four tight sets (6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5) for the 39-year-old Frenchman who is playing his 23rd and final season on the tennis circuit. After winning the first round, Monfils suffered a physical sluggishness in the next two before regaining energy in the 4th where he led 4-1 before breaking down.
Ex-world number 6 currently 110th, he was playing his 20th Australian Major since his first participation in 2005. He had reached the quarter-finals twice, in 2016 and 2022.
