ATP/WTA: Age is just a number for Monfils

La Monf 13 and counting

By lifting the trophy in Auckland on Saturday, Gael Monfils not only gained a confidence-boosting triumph ahead of AO25, he also carved out his one piece of history.

At 38 years and four months, the gregarious Frenchman defeated Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 to become the oldest singles champion since the ATP Tour was formed in 1990. He's also the oldest man to win a tour-level title since a 43-year-old Ken Rosewall ruled in Hong Kong in 1977.

“It means a lot. Age is just a number,” said Monfils in New Zealand. “But we keep working. I keep believing that I can play high-quality tennis and I have been showing it this week so I am very happy.

“I don't win a lot. It's been more than 20 years I've been playing and it's just 13 times I ended up winning.

“My first title was 20 years ago (2005). I still have the passion to play tennis. Hopefully, many more to come.“

The world No.52 took down four Top 100 players in Auckland as well as upcoming American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy – who faces a certain Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open first round. As for 'La Monf,' the Frenchman will take on his compatriot, the huge-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

FAA and Keys unlock more success

Felix Auger-Aliassime has made a sharp start to 2025. The Canadian secured a United Cup victory over world No.4 Taylor Fritz and he then backed that up in Adelaide with a sixth ATP title.

He overcame Sebastian Korda 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to cap a week which included three-set wins over Arthur Cazaux and top seed Tommy Paul.

“It feels great, any title feels amazing,“ said the 24-year-old, who takes on Jan-Lennard Struff in the Australian Open. “I've had my fair share of difficulty to win titles in the beginning of my career, and now every one means a lot. To show that I can play well on other surfaces, to get over that hump and win a first title outdoors, is great.“

In the WTA ranks Madison Keys claimed her second Adelaide title, managing to navigate past her countrywoman Jessica Pegula 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 on Saturday.

Despite a left-thigh issue in the final, Keys is optimistic of another strong showing in Melbourne as a two-time semi-finalist at the Australian Open (2015, 2022). Keys missed a trip Down Under in 2024 with a shoulder injury, but has rediscovered fine form at just the right time.

“I feel like there was a lot to build on after last year,” said Keys, shortly after winning a ninth WTA title. “I felt like I was playing some pretty good tennis. I didn’t have the consistency that I wanted because I unfortunately had a few longer breaks due to injury. So, it was really just an accumulation of taking all of the work that we did last year and then having a really good off-season and just going for it.”

Over to Hobart and another American enjoyed a trophy lift. McCartney Kessler downed No.2 seed Elise Mertens 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 to take a second WTA title in a soaring career.

Early AO success

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka began her pursuit of an Australian Open three-peat with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Sloane Stephens on Sunday.

2024 runner-up Zheng Qinwen also evaded danger on Rod Laver Arena with a 7-6(3), 6-1 passage past Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni. No.14 seed Mirra Andreeva continues to take it all in her stride, the teenage sensation became the AO25's first victor, posting 6-3, 6-3 versus Marie Bouzkova.

Over to the men's event and the resurgent Kei Nishikori wound back the clock, saving two match points in a 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 rollercoster with Brazil's Thiago Monteiro.

Casper Ruud also required five sets to hurdle Jaume Munar and France's hotshot Arthur Fils opened his Melbourne account with a 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-4 scoreboard facing Otto Virtanen.

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