Veteran Gael Monfils reaches his 35th ATP final in Auckland aged 38
France's Gael Monfils looks on during his match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pat Hoelscher]
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Gael Monfils has become the second-oldest player since 1990 to reach a final on the men’s elite tennis tour. The veteran Frenchman beat American Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the semifinals at Auckland on Friday. Monfils did so at the age of 38 years, 131 days. Ivo Karlovic holds the ATP Tour record having won through to final in Pune, India in 2019 at the age of 39 years, 311 days. Monfils edges out Stan Wawrinka who was aged 38 years and 124 days when he reached the final at Umag, Croatia in 2023.
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France's Gael Monfils reacts during his match against Serbia's Novak Djokovicat the Brisbane International in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pat Hoelscher