Gael Monfils explains the mistake many players make against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard after beating him at the Australian Open

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Gael Monfils was looking to reach the Australian Open second round for the 17th time in his storied career.

There are few players more popular on the ATP Tour than the 38-year-old Frenchman who continues to perform at the very highest level.

Monfils won the ASB classic last week, becoming the oldest player in tour history to win an ATP title.

His first-round opponent at this year’s Australian Open was another that had impressed so far in 2025.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard beat Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International, going on to reach the semi-finals of an ATP tournament for just the third time in his career.

Monfils was able to get the better of his fellow Frenchman, 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, and admitted after the match what he was able to do that helped him secure victory.

Gael Monfils says players make the ‘mistake’ of facing too many break points against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

Speaking after his first-round win against Mpetshi Perricard, Monfils revealed the mistake he thinks players make against the big-serving 21-year-old that he managed to avoid.

“I feel like some people, they [make a] mistake, when you play a guy like Giovanni [Mpetshi Perricard], John [Isner], Reilly [Opelka], the main focus is your serve,” he said.

“The main focus of your serve is actually to try not to face breakpoint, that’s the main focus because you are under pressure at that moment.

“So many points that you need to play smarter, you need to actually get your focus to be, you know, in a way that you’re not facing breakpoint.

“Today I was able to do it with some very good service games, some fortunate points that helped, but the focus was there, and then I was happy with that.”

Monfils advanced to the second round against Mpetshi Perricard without facing a single break point, as his serve held up during their five-set encounter.

Mpetshi Perricard was complimentary towards his victorious opponent after the match, and commented on an area that he now knows he must improve on.

“It’s always nice to play against such a good player, Gael [Monfils] did some amazing stuff, sometimes on the bench I say to myself, He is not 38,” he said.

“It was a long match, I have some good things to learn about it, especially with serve/return on the forehand side.

“I’m still young, I still can learn some stuff, we will see in the future if I can improve those bad moments.”

Gael Monfils says he doesn’t think about age when playing younger ATP stars

Monfils took down Mpetshi Perricard in the first round, a man 17 years his junior, a remarkable age gap, and one that is becoming fairly common for the Frenchman to see on the ATP Tour.

“Honestly, I never really think about it, you know,” he said.

“I never really think about it, it’s more you guys [media], you know, asking me a lot about it, but me, as I say, I’m trying my best.

“I’m trying my best, I know I’ve aged a little bit, but I try my best.”

Of the seven players remaining in his ‘section’ of the Australian Open draw, Monfils is at least ten years older than six of them, something he is more than aware of.

“I know this week, you know, I can sometimes have the double of the age of the guy,” said Monfils.

“I have, yeah, I think 21 years of career, and he’s 21 years old, Giovanni.

“Of course numbers are there, but I’m fighting, so I try not to put any number in my head.”

Monfils will play 26-year-old Daniel Altmaier in the Australian Open second round on Thursday, January 16.