Gaël Monfils Claims 12th Career Title in Stockholm
Gaël Monfils, the French tennis player, emerged victorious in the Stockholm tournament on Sunday, defeating Pavel Kotov in a thrilling final (4-6, 7-6, 6-3). This win marks Monfils’ 12th career title and showcases his enduring talent on the court.
A Triumph of Longevity
After a gap of 652 days since his last triumph in Adelaide, Australia, in January 2022, Gaël Monfils secured another title in Stockholm on October 22. The 37-year-old Frenchman displayed his dominance by defeating Pavel Kotov in a three-set battle (4-6, 7-6, 6-3) in the ATP 250 tournament final. Monfils also made history by becoming the oldest French winner of a tournament since the Open era began in 1968, surpassing Richard Gasquet’s record set earlier this year in Auckland.
A Rare Achievement
Among all nationalities, only four players in the history of the ATP circuit have claimed titles after celebrating their 37th birthday. Gaël Monfils joins the esteemed company of Roger Federer, Ivo Karlovic, and Feliciano Lopez. Additionally, Monfils has reached at least one final in 19 consecutive seasons, a feat surpassed only by Federer. Reflecting on his remarkable longevity, Monfils stated, “It proves that even with the injuries I had, I managed to have this consistency.”
“At 37 years, 1 month, and 21 days, Gaël Monfils became the oldest French player to win a title on the main circuit since the start of the Open era! He dethrones a certain Richard Gasquet, who took possession of this record at the start of the season in Auckland!” – Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) October 22, 2023
A Display of Resilience
Gaël Monfils showcased his resilience and skill in the Stockholm final. Despite losing the first set and facing two points from defeat against the surprising Russian player Pavel Kotov, Monfils fought back. The Parisian athlete expressed his satisfaction, saying, “He pushed me to the end, I ran so much today. I found energy again. When he had three break points, I managed to push him to the tie-break, I continued to believe in it, to fight, and it worked.”
In a closely contested tie-break (8-6), Monfils leveled the match at one set each before breaking early in the decisive set. Pavel Kotov acknowledged Monfils’ exceptional defensive skills, stating, “He returns everything.” Monfils sealed the victory with two match points, celebrating his 12th title and jokingly referring to the number 12 as his lucky charm.
A Comeback from Adversity
Following a challenging 2023 season marred by foot and wrist injuries, Gaël Monfils had struggled to regain his form. His ranking plummeted to 394th in the world by the end of May, the lowest since his early career. However, Monfils found solace in the guidance of his former coach Mikael Tillström, who had previously worked with him from 2015 to 2018. The collaboration began to yield positive results during the American hard court tour, with notable victories against top-ranked players.
A Return to Prominence
With his 12th career title, Gaël Monfils will reenter the top 100 rankings on Monday, reaching the 90th position in the ATP. This achievement comes at an opportune moment before the upcoming Paris-Bercy Masters 1000, starting on October 30. Furthermore, Monfils’ improved ranking opens doors for future tournaments, including direct entry into the main draw of the US Open.