Gael Monfils predicts what is going to happen to tennis in the next 20 years after he retires

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Gael Monfils is enjoying potentially one last Australian Open dream run, having just clinched a third round spot.

Monfils became the oldest ATP singles champion with his ASB Classic victory earlier this month, which will have given him great confidence for the Australian Open.

The former ATP number six has continued that momentum into Melbourne, with Monfils beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in round one.

Monfils has now earned himself a tantalising third round meeting with Taylor Fritz, who reached the US Open final in his most recent Grand Slam.

Fritz beat the Frenchman at the 2019 Australian Open in their only career meeting to date, with Monfils now certain to be out for revenge.

Gael Monfils predicts tennis to become faster and more physical

The 38-year-old secured a straight set win over Daniel Altmaier in round two this time around, having previously gone the distance against Mpetshi Perricard.

Remarkably, 20 years have now passed since Monfils made his Australian Open debut in 2005, with the Frenchman having been asked how much tennis has improved since then in his latest press conference in Melbourne.

READ MORE: Gael Monfils says what Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard does which no player in the history of the ATP Tour has before

“I feel like the game is a bit faster, of course, a bit faster,” he said. “I think that the technology has evolved a lot. Now every single player is a professional of a big team.

“I think physically it’s different, so you just evolve, I guess. Then I think in 20 years it’s going to be maybe even faster or more physical or different.

“I feel like rackets, strings, balls, everything changes. I just try to keep myself, you know, with this evolution.”

Gael Monfils grateful for career ahead of impending retirement

Monfils can hold his head extremely high at this stage of his career, with the 38-year-old now winding down after turning professional back in 2004.

His ASB Classic victory in Auckland represented a 13th ATP Tour title, and has also helped him climb all the way up to 41st in the rankings.

The veteran now boasts a 6-1 win-loss record for 2025, but will undoubtedly need to find some of his old magic to make it past the in-form Fritz.

Monfils is, however, more than satisfied with what he has achieved in his fantastic and lengthy career, having also been asked if there is anything else he wants to achieve before retiring.

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“No, I can finish now,” he said. “I think I have done what I want in a way. If I do more, it’s a bonus. I’m happy. As I always say from day one, for me the most important is the health.

“It’s just a part of my life. It’s very nice, beautiful. Tennis gives me everything I can even imagine, so I am already blessed. The rest is a bonus.”