Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Gael Monfils Wins US Open Match On 40th Birthday
Gael Monfils is a tennis player from France.
He won his first match at the US Open on his 40th birthday.
He lost the first set to Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.
Then he played much better and won the next three sets.
The final score was 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
This made Monfils the oldest player since Jimmy Connors to win a US Open singles match on his birthday.
The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
Monfils will play American Learner Tien next.
Gael Monfils defeated Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 in the US Open first round.
The Frenchman became the oldest player since Jimmy Connors to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows on his 40th birthday.
Fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium sang “Happy Birthday” to Monfils during his on-court speech.
Monfils overcame a slow start after losing the opening set and dominated the final three sets.
He will face American Learner Tien in the second round.
- Who
- French tennis player Gael Monfils defeated Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.
- What
- Monfils won his US Open first-round singles match in four sets on his 40th birthday.
- When
- Tuesday, on Monfils’ 40th birthday.
- Where
- Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open in Flushing Meadows.
- Why
- The victory sent Monfils into the second round and continued his farewell Grand Slam campaign.
- Match
- Gael Monfils defeated Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0.
- Tournament
- US Open
- Milestone
- Monfils became the oldest player since Jimmy Connors to win a main-draw singles match at Flushing Meadows on his 40th birthday.
- Age
- 40
- Next opponent
- American Learner Tien
- Venue
- Louis Armstrong Stadium
- Notable history
- Jimmy Connors achieved the comparable feat in 1992.