The Frenchman was eliminated from the start in Melbourne by local player Dane Sweeny (7/6, 5/7, 4/6, 5/7).
Gaël Monfils, who will end his career at the end of the season, was eliminated Tuesday in the first round of his last Australian Open by the inexperienced Australian Dane Sweeny (182nd in the world) 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5. The 39-year-old Frenchman is playing his 23rd and final season. Ex-world number 6, currently 110th, he was playing his 20th Australian Major since his first participation in 2005. He reached the quarter-finals twice, in 2016 and 2022.
“My journey started here in 2003 (in qualifying, Editor’s note). It’s 2026 and it’s the finish line but thank you all for coming with me, you were great”he told the public from the court while generally only the winner of the matches, before the final, speaks on the field. “Today again I fought for four hours, but this guy (Sweeny) is very strong. I wish him good luck”he added to his winner.
Skip the ad
For the latter, the victory is particularly beautiful because in addition to having beaten one of the great names in tennis of the last twenty years, he offered himself his first victory in a Grand Slam tournament. “It’s like I’m in a series… it’s incredible”he commented. Before the start of the match his objective was “victory or defeat, enjoy the chance to be there”.
As usual, the most popular French player since Yannick Noah spared no effort. And despite the encouragement of the public – in particular from a group of French people – the youth of his opponent (24 years old) visibly prevailed, as Monfils appeared so tired. Broken one last time to be down 6-5 in the fourth set and the Australian’s service to follow, Monfils failed to reverse the situation.
“You are here, you have played your 20th Australian Open and you have entered a very closed circle: you are six players from the Open era (since the 1969 edition) to have reached this bar”said tournament director Craig Tiley, who came to greet him on the court. “We want to thank you for your career, your attitude and the way you taught us to play this wonderful game. Well done”added Tiley. Monfils’ last match in Melbourne, greeted by a hearty ovation from the public with “thank you Gaël” sung in the stands, lasted 3h51.
