Gael Monfils reached the fourth round of the Australian Open at this year’s tournament for the first time since 2022.
Grand Slam tennis always produces incredible stories, and Monfils’ run in Australia this year is undoubtedly one of the best we’ve seen in recent times.
Monfils beat Taylor Fritz in the third round, becoming the oldest player to beat a top-five opponent in Melbourne, at 38 years old.
With the win, the Frenchman booked his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time in three years.
However, it was there that his journey came to an end, as Monfils lost to Ben Shelton, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, 0-1 (RET).
During his run in Melbourne, Monfils made his feelings about winning a Grand Slam title clear, something that one ATP Tour legend has now commented on.
Andy Roddick doesn’t ‘really care’ that Gael Monfils isn’t prioritizing winning a Grand Slam title
Speaking on his Quick Served podcast, 2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick gave his thoughts on Monfils’ Grand Slam title ambitions.
“I think he gives honest answers, even if they’re not the ones we want,” he said.
“Do you want to win a Slam, does it mean everything to you? He’s like ‘Nah, not really’, his words, not mine.
“It’s almost as if he’s gotten past the, what could’ve happened? What could’ve been? What kind of career could he have had? because I think his personality has won out around tennis.
“We still have the same criticisms, but we just don’t really care, I’m not passionate about it.”
Monfils said that it wasn’t a dream to win a Grand Slam title earlier in the tournament, instead arguing that his purpose in life was to ‘be old, with a lot of kids and be healthy’.
Roddick went on to praise the 38-year-old for his attitude during his 21 years on tour.
“Gael [Monfils], 38 years old, people love watching him, people love playing against him, people love being in a locker room with him,” he said.
“He’s going to be looked back at so fondly.
“I respect him on a different level, I think he always treats people the right way.
“I just like him, everyone likes him.”
What’s next for Gael Monfils after his strong start to the 2025 season?
The Frenchman has started 2025 in blistering form, with Monfils’ win in Auckland, coming just a week before his run to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
His results during the early stages of the season guarantee that he will be ranked inside the top eight of the ‘Race to Turin’ upon the conclusion of the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.
The top eight players who collect the most points during the ATP season qualify for the year-end ATP Finals, something that Monfils did back in 2016.
While it is perhaps unlikely that the 38-year-old will hold on to his top-eight spot come November, he could still enjoy a strong season on tour.
It is unclear how heavy the Frenchman’s schedule will be in 2025, but he has confirmed his participation in three tournaments over the next month or so.
- Montpellier (ATP 250) January 27 – February 2
- Marseille (ATP 250) February 10 – February 16
- Doha (ATP 500) February 17 – February 22
Monfils will be hoping to add a 14th ATP title to his collection, and may well be confident of doing so in Qatar, having won the title back in 2018, beating Andrey Rublev in the final.
He lost two previous finals, to Jo Wilfried-Tsonga in 2012, and Rafael Nadal in 2014, before the Frenchman took home the title seven years ago against the young Russian.
It remains to be seen if Monfils can replicate his Middle Eastern success next month, but it will certainly be worth a watch as the tournament kicks off on February 17.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
