Gael Monfils, the 38-year-old French tennis star, was forced to retire from his Australian Open fourth-round match against American Ben Shelton due to a back injury. The match, which had been a grueling three-hour battle, ended with Shelton leading 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, and 1-0 in the fourth set. Monfils, who had been on an impressive run at the tournament, received a standing ovation as he left the court.
Earlier in the tournament, Monfils had defeated fourth seed Taylor Fritz, Daniel Altmaier, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, becoming the oldest man to reach the fourth round in Melbourne since Roger Federer. His victory in Auckland just a week prior had also made him the oldest player to win an ATP tour title. Despite his injury, Monfils had shown remarkable resilience and skill throughout the tournament, earning admiration from fans and fellow players alike.
Shelton, who is 22 years old, praised Monfils for his incredible performance and longevity in the sport. “Gael is a great guy, I’ve watched him since I was a kid,” Shelton said. “To push me like he did today, and to entertain in New Zealand and Australia the way he has over the last two weeks is so impressive and I hope to be able to create some memories like that at that age.”
Monfils’ retirement marks the end of a remarkable journey at this year’s Australian Open, but his legacy and impact on the sport will continue to be remembered. His determination and passion for tennis have inspired many, and his recent performances have shown that age is just a number when it comes to achieving greatness on the court.