Gael Monfils triumphs in Auckland to claim historic ATP Title
Gael Monfils made history on Saturday, defeating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the Auckland ATP 250 final to become the oldest man to win an ATP title since Ken Rosewall in 1977.
The 38-year-old Frenchman was in commanding form throughout the match, outplaying Bergs, who had fought his way through qualifying to make his first ATP-level final. Monfils’ win marked the 13th title of his illustrious career, with his first dating back to Sopot in 2005.
“Winning means a lot to me,” Monfils said after the match.
“Age is just a number. We keep working, I keep believing in my ability to play high-quality tennis, and this week has been very satisfying.”
Reflecting on his longevity, Monfils added,
“My first title was 20 years ago, but I still have the passion for tennis. I feel I can still hit the ball well, and hopefully, there are many more moments like this to come.”
Monfils displayed exceptional serving during the one-hour, 37-minute match, dropping just four points on his first serve and hitting four aces.
Bergs, by contrast, struggled with consistency, winning only 45% of his second-serve points and committing multiple errors throughout the match.
The victory sets Monfils up for a first-round clash against fellow Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Australian Open.
Monfils will look to carry his momentum into Melbourne, though the online casinos have him as a slight underdog, paying +110 at Bovada compared to Mpetshi Perricard’s -138.89.
Despite his impressive form, tennis betting sites give Monfils long odds to claim his maiden Grand Slam title this January, offering +30000 for the veteran to win at Melbourne Park.
As the 2025 season begins, Monfils’ Auckland triumph serves as a reminder of his enduring talent and passion for the sport.