Gaël Monfils's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Gaël Monfils. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Gaël Monfils is a French professional tennis player known for his athleticism and exciting playing style. He achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 6 in 2016. Monfils has reached two Grand Slam semifinals (2008 French Open, 2016 US Open) and three ATP Masters 1000 finals (Paris Masters in 2009 and 2010, Monte-Carlo Masters in 2016). He has won 13 ATP Tour singles titles throughout his career, solidifying his status as a top player.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1973: Third-Oldest to Defeat a Top-Five Opponent

In 2025, Gaël Monfils became the third-oldest player to defeat a top-five opponent at a major in the history of the ATP Rankings since 1973.

1988: Reaching Fourth Round at 38+

In 2025, Gaël Monfils and Roger Federer were the only players to reach the fourth round at age 38 or older at the Australian Open, since the tournament expanded to 128 players when it moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.

1991: No Break Points Faced in a Five-Set Match

In 2025, Gaël Monfils became the only player ever not to face a break point in a five-set match at a Grand Slam since records started in 1991, in his win against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Australian Open.

2004: Won Junior Grand Slam Events

In 2004, Gaël Monfils won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon junior titles, and reached the third round of the US Open.

2005: ATP Newcomer of the Year

In 2005, Monfils was named the ATP Newcomer of the Year, marking the beginning of his successful career.

2006: Reached Doha Final and Won Paddle Tennis Tournament

In 2006, Gaël Monfils reached the final in Doha but lost to Roger Federer. He also won a paddle tennis tournament in Las Vegas, surprising the field by defeating the world No. 1 paddle tennis player.

2009: Wimbledon Withdrawal and US Open

In 2009, Monfils withdrew from Wimbledon due to a wrist injury, later losing to Rafael Nadal at the US Open, but won the Open de Moselle. Despite jetlag, he also made the quarterfinals at the Malaysian Open.

2010: US Open, Rakuten Japan Open, Open Sud de France, Paris Masters

In 2010, Gaël Monfils lost to Novak Djokovic at the US Open in the quarterfinals, marking his first quarterfinal appearance at a major outside of the French Open. He was also the first Frenchman to reach the US Open quarterfinals since 2000. He was a runner-up at the Rakuten Japan Open, losing to Rafael Nadal, and won the Open Sud de France against Ivan Ljubičić. At the Paris Masters, he reached the final for the second consecutive year, securing three Top 10 wins before being defeated by Robin Söderling.

2011: Legg Mason Tennis Classic, Canadian Masters, Cincinnati Masters, US Open and Stockholm Open

In 2011, Gaël Monfils reached the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic, losing to Radek Štěpánek. He also reached the quarterfinals of the Canadian Masters and the Cincinnati Masters, losing to Novak Djokovic in both. In July 2011, he achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 7. At the US Open, he lost in the second round to Juan Carlos Ferrero. Monfils won the Stockholm Open, defeating Jarkko Nieminen in the final.

2014: Montpellier and French Open

In 2014, Gaël Monfils won Montpellier, defeating Richard Gasquet. He injured his wrist in a match against Grigor Dimitrov and didn't play again until the 2014 French Open, where he reached the quarterfinals before losing to Andy Murray.

2014: First Top 10 Win at a Major Since 2014

In 2025, at the Australian Open, Gaël Monfils defeated Taylor Fritz for his first top 10 win at a major since 2014.

April 2024: Return to Top 40 Ranking

On 8 April 2024, following a round of 16 showing at the Estoril Open, Gaël Monfils returned to the top 40 in the ATP rankings.

2024: Victory over Carlos Alcaraz and Return to Top 45

In 2024, at the Cincinnati Open, Gaël Monfils defeated world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, his first top 5 season win and ninth career top 3 victory. At 37 years and 9 months old, he became the fourth oldest man to beat a top 3 player and returned to the top 45 in the rankings.

2024: 550th Career Win and Masters Achievement

In 2024, at the Miami Open, Gaël Monfils achieved his 550th career win, becoming only the second Frenchman in the Open Era to reach that milestone behind Richard Gasquet, and the eighth active man to do so.

2025: Second Oldest to Win a Match at Miami Open

In 2025, Gaël Monfils became the second oldest player to win a match at the Miami Open, defeating Fabian Marozsan, and followed it up with a win over Jiri Lehecka, saving a match point.

2025: Oldest Champion on ATP Tour

In 2025, Gaël Monfils defeated Zizou Bergs to become the oldest champion on the ATP Tour and the oldest men's singles title winner since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1977.

2025: Win against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

In 2025, Gaël Monfils won against compatriot and 30th seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round at the Australian Open. The match had three tiebreaks, lasted close to four hours and marked the 21st consecutive season Monfils has won at least one major match.