Gael Monfils saw off Jan Lennard Struff yesterday winning through 6-4, 6-4 and now Sebastian Korda awaits at the 2025 Indian Wells Open but he has taken a feat which was previously held by Roger Federer.
Albeit he is unlikely to claim the top spot anytime soon as the oldest player to win a match at Indian Wells as Ivo Karlovic took that top spot in 2019 at the age of 40.
As per Opta Ace, Monfils was the oldest player at the age of 38-years-old and 186 days to win a match in straight sets. This since Karlovic did it in 2019 at 40 years old and 12 days.
Monfils is coming towards the tail end of his career but is still managing to produce some of his best tennis and like Stan Wawrinka and even Novak Djokovic, he shows why he is not going anywhere despite his age.
But while that is the case, he has one hope and that is not to be moved from Stadium Two when he faces Korda as he issued a plea towards tournament organisers.
“Actually I love stadium 2, it’s almost my favourite here,” he said on Tennis Channel. “I played a lot of matches, great matches, great memories, keep me in stadium 2 please.
“It was a great performance, I felt I was moving great. I’ve known Jan for a long time now and I feel like technically I played him exactly where I wanted him to be, so for me, that was a great match today.”
38, 186 - With victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, Gael Monfils (38y 186) has become the oldest player to win a match in straight sets at the Indian Wells Open since Ivo Karlovic (40y 12d) in 2019. Evergreen.#TennisParadise | @BNPPARIBASOPEN @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/s1QH0TgvSS
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 7, 2025
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
