Monfils lights up US Open on 40th birthday, reveals Svitolina's special gift

Gael Monfils could hardly have scripted a better start to his final US Open appearance. On his 40th birthday, the French showman fought back from a set down to beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0, before revealing the special gift wife Elina Svitolina gave him to mark the milestone.Gael Monfils lights up US Open on 40th birthday, reveals Svitolina's special gift (Reuters Photo)Gael Monfils celebrated his 40th birthday in the best way possible, producing a stirring comeback to open his final US Open campaign with a win. The Frenchman recovered from a slow start to beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on Tuesday night and book his place in the second round.Monfils struggled for consistency in the opening set and allowed Vallejo to take an early lead. But once he found his range, the match quickly swung in his favour. He won the second set comfortably, dominated the third and never allowed his Paraguayan opponent to regain a foothold.The former world No. 6 struck 37 winners and gave the Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd plenty to enjoy, producing the athletic shots and spectacular jumping winners that have long been part of his game. He completed the four-set victory with a big ace.For Monfils, playing in New York on his 40th birthday made the occasion particularly meaningful. "That was definitely very special, to play on the day of my 40th birthday," he said during his on-court interview as the crowd sang Happy Birthday. "You guys always make it electric. The atmosphere is unbelievable. I feel great here. I always try to put on a great show, so let's keep it up for the second round."Among those watching was his wife, Elina Svitolina, who stayed in the stands despite having her own singles campaign to continue on Wednesday. The couple have shared the court at this year's US Open, reaching the mixed doubles semi-finals last week. Svitolina was back in the crowd on Tuesday to support Monfils as he began his farewell appearance at Flushing Meadows.Asked whether she had bought him a birthday present, Monfils revealed that Svitolina had given him a watch for the milestone."I think she's playing tomorrow, so it's a great effort for her to stay here [and support]," he said."It was an amazing gift. If she allows me to say, she [gave] me a great watch for my 40th."The win was particularly significant given what happened 24 hours earlier, when fellow veteran Stan Wawrinka played the final Grand Slam match of his career.Monfils has already confirmed that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, meaning every tournament now carries an added sense of finality. But there was little sign of a player ready to bow out as he fought back from his early setback and fed off the energy inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.The Frenchman has enjoyed some of his best moments in New York, reaching the semi-finals in 2016. He will now have the chance to extend his final US Open run when he faces American Learner Tien in the second round.Tien, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion, won their only previous meeting in Montreal last month, prevailing in three sets. After that match, the 20-year-old even asked Monfils for his signature.- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 08:37 IST