"“In 2009 that was crazy for myself": Gael Monfils locks in another tournament for his final campaign

Gael Monfils is preparing for his farewell campaign in 2026 following an announcement made a couple of months ago, and he has already confirmed one of his destinations for the start of the year. The veteran Frenchman is currently the oldest player inside the Top 100 at 39 years old, and he will be the last of France's famous "Four Musketeers" to hang up his racquet.

The former World No. 6 is one of six players in the Top 100 over the age of 35, and the eldest of the group. His retirement will leave Novak Djokovic as the veteran of the elite group, with the Serbian set to turn 39 next May.

Monfils finished 2025 as World No. 68 following mixed results and injuries, particularly in the second half of the year. However, the Frenchman started that season in spectacular fashion, lifting his 13th professional title by crowning himself champion at the Auckland Open after beating Zizou Bergs in the final. In doing so, he became the oldest man to win an ATP Tour-level title in the modern era.

A couple of weeks later, he achieved a notable run at the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round and eliminating 30th seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and 4th seed Taylor Fritz along the way. He ended up retiring mid-match in the Round of 16 against Ben Shelton at the start of the fourth set due to an injury.

While it was confirmed a few days ago that Monfils would kick off the season at the ASB Classic—where he will look to defend his title—he recently revealed one of his stops during the month of February. The 39-year-old Frenchman will travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open once the Auckland Open concludes, and then has opted to travel to North America to prepare for the Sunshine Double.

It is there that Monfils has chosen to join the ATP 500 Mexican Open in Acapulco, a tournament where he reached the final back in 2009, eventually falling to Spaniard Nicolas Almagro. “In 2009 that was crazy for myself, I didn’t win the trophy, but I had an unbelievable week, because you guys, the crowd, was unreal, really,” he said. “I’m super happy to be invited in 2026 for my last dance so I can’t wait to be there. I hope to see you guys, see you!”

The Frenchman joins other renowned figures who will start the season at the ASB Classic, a tournament to be held from January 12 to 17. He will join stars such as Ben Shelton and Jakub Mensik, who are looking to start the season on the right foot and use it as a preparatory event for the Australian Open.

Monfils began his career in 2004, at just 16 years old, and was quickly recognized as one of the great talents of his generation. In fact, Monfils has been renowned since his junior days, where he reached World No. 1 and won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon junior titles in 2004. He made his ATP debut at the Moselle Open in Metz after receiving a wildcard, reaching the quarterfinals only to fall to his compatriot Richard Gasquet—another memorable Frenchman of the same generation.

After a 22-year career, the Frenchman prepares for his final season holding a 583–350 record, 13 titles, and another 22 finals reached, in addition to two Grand Slam semifinal appearances and three Masters 1000 finals—numbers that are undoubtedly remarkable considering he had to compete against the prime eras of players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Monfils reached a final in 19 consecutive seasons and is one of only four players in the Open Era to do so for 19 or more seasons. However, two months ago he announced his retirement for this season, though without giving clear signals of what his potential final event would be.

“I had a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18," he wrote on social media. "Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I’d like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player. The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career. Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision to retire at the end of the 2026 tennis season.”