Paula Badosa echoed the words of Gael Monfils after his incredible Australian Open third-round performance. The 38-year-old made headlines on Saturday by eliminating world No. 4 Taylor Fritz (3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-4), the highest-ranked player to be eliminated in the men’s draw so far.
To add even more flavor to Monfils’ epic day, after his match on Margaret Court Arena, his wife Elina Svitolina entered the court for her own challenge, facing female world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini. Svitolina fought back from a set down to defeat the two-time Grand Slam finalist (2-6, 6-4, 6-0).
Svitolina and Monfils deliver stunning wins
The tennis couple stole the spotlight in the fourth round by eliminating the first top-4 players from their respective draws. Monfils' victory was particularly surprising, especially since Fritz had looked like a strong contender, considering his two impressive wins in the first rounds, where he had conceded only 8 games in total across 6 sets.
In the press conference, Monfils was asked whether he saw winning a Grand Slam title as a real possibility, but the Frenchman dismissed the idea, saying it wasn’t even something he dreams of. "My dream is to be old and with a lot of kids and healthy.”
“To be honest with you, it's not even a dream to win the tournament. That’s your dream, I guess, to win a slam. I tell you my dream. My dream is to have an unbelievable family. Tennis is cool. Of course, you want to have goals, dreams, whatever. But my dream is out there…”
Monfils’ response caught attention on social media, and former world No. 2 Paula Badosa shared a clip of Monfils' words. The Spaniard posted, “He really understood LIFE,” she commented.
This Monday, Badosa will face third seed Coco Gauff, aiming for her first Grand Slam semifinal. The Spaniard has already reached the quarterfinals at the US Open in the past and continues to show good consistency on the Tour after her return, although she was defeated by another American, 13th seed Emma Navarro, at that event.
As for Monfils, he will face 21st seed Ben Shelton on Sunday morning, aiming for a spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals.
When @Gael_Monfils gets asked if he can win the tournament, his response:
— TENNIS (@Tennis) January 18, 2025
“My dream is out there.” 🥹👑 pic.twitter.com/AK1HHr6yBs
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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