Gael Monfils defeats Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in first round of US Open

On September 1st 2026, Gael Monfils turned 40 years old. He also walked onto Louis Armstrong Stadium, won three consecutive sets after losing the first, hit a leaping forehand winner at 1-0 in the fourth set, cupped his hand to his ear, and had the entire building giving him a standing ovation. There is no …

French veteran Gael Monfils is treated to a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by the US Open crowd as he becomes the oldest man to win a match there since 1992.

French veteran Gael Monfils is treated to a rendition of Happy Birthday by the US Open crowd as he becomes the oldest man to win a match there since 1992.

French veteran Gael Monfils is treated to a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by the US Open crowd as he becomes the oldest man to win a match there since 1992.

Gael Monfils, playing on his 40th birthday, beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets Tuesday night to become the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors in 1992.

France's Gael Monfils turned back the clock Tuesday, making the most of a US Open wild card and an adoring New York crowd to advance to the second round."You guys always make it electric, amazing," Monfils said in an on-court interview.

Gael Monfils looked every bit the ageless wonder on his 40th birthday in his first round US Open victory under the lights at Armstrong Stadium on September 1, 2026.

Gael Monfils stood in the middle of the court and bowed to the crowd that was treating the Frenchman to a roaring ovation on his 40th birthday. Monfils turned back the clock and pushed back the end of his Grand Slam career, beating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday night at the U.S. Open. Monfils became the oldest man to win a U.S. Open match since Jimmy Connors — another guy who loved to put on a show in New York — defeated Jaime Oncins on Sept. 2, 1992, when he turned 40.