Gael Monfils made historical past by turning into the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title with victory on the ASB Basic in Auckland.
France’s Monfils beat Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3 6-4 within the closing to say his thirteenth tour-level title.
At 38 years and 4 months previous, Monfils has change into the oldest singles champion for the reason that ATP Tour was shaped in 1990.
Swiss nice Roger Federer beforehand held the file – he was 38 years and two months previous when he received the Basel title in 2019.
“It means rather a lot. Age is a quantity,” stated Monfils.
“However we maintain working. I maintain believing that I can play high-quality tennis and I’ve been displaying it this week so I’m very joyful.”
The victory in Auckland additionally sees Monfils change into the oldest man to win a tour-level title since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall received in Hong Kong in 1977.
“I do not win rather a lot. It has been greater than 20 years I have been enjoying and it is simply 13 instances I ended up successful,” Monfils added.
The world quantity 52, who received his first title in 2005, will now journey to Melbourne for the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday.
Monfils faces 21-year-old rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in an all-French first-round tie.