ATP Tour

Monfils lights up US Open on 40th birthday, reveals Svitolina’s ‘special gift’

Gael Monfils, one of tennis’ greatest showmen, was at it again Tuesday night at the US Open, where he celebrated his 40th birthday in style.

The Frenchman kick-started his 18th and final appearance at the hard-court major with a vintage 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo. Monfils, who will retire at the end of the 2026 season, fired 37 winners and produced plenty of his trademark jumping shots, thrilling a packed Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd.

"That was definitely very special, to play on the day of my 40th birthday," Monfils said in his on-court interview as fans sang 'Happy Birthday'. "You guys always make it electric. The atmosphere is unbelievable. I feel great here. I always try to put on a great show, so let's keep it up for the second round."

Among those cheering Monfils on inside Louis Armstrong Stadium was his wife, WTA star Elina Svitolina. The couple teamed up last week to reach the mixed doubles semi-finals, and Svitolina was back in the stands to support Monfils on his milestone birthday.

"I think she's playing tomorrow, so it's a great effort for her to stay here [and support]," Monfils said when asked whether Elina had bought him a birthday present. "It was an amazing gift. If she allows me to say, she [gave] me a great watch for my 40th."

Monfils, the former No. 6 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, will next face reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Learner Tien in the second round. The 20-year-old American won their only previous Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, prevailing in three sets in Montreal last month, after which Tien asked Monfils for a signature.

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