'Somehow It Is The...'! French Showman Gael Monfils' Adieu To Australian Open!

Last Updated:January 20, 2026, 15:26 IST

The French icon went down to Dane Sweeny in a four-hour battle, before the 39-year-old Monfils was extended a standing ovation from the crowd.

Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Gael Monfils was shown the exit door from the Australian Open in the first round on Tuesday, bidding adieu to an event which has witnessed some scintillating bit of play over the years, as the French tennis ace fought before succumbing to Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny in a nearly four-hour battle.

The French icon went down to Sweeny as the Aussie registered a 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 win, before the 39-year-old Monfils was extended a standing ovation from the crowd.

“Somehow it is the finish line, but thank you so much for an amazing ride. I have a lot of great memories here."

Monfils, who has won 13 ATP titles since his career began in 2004, announced in October that this year would be his last in tennis.

Launching his 20th Australian Open campaign, Monfils outlasted Sweeny, who is 15 years his junior, in a grueling first set. Cheered on by a full house at Melbourne Park, Sweeny fought back to claim the second set and level the gripping match.

Monfils, now ranked 110 but who rose to sixth in the world at his peak, appeared to be struggling physically under the glaring sunshine.

The French veteran frequently bent over between points, one hand on his left knee and the other using his racquet for support, alternating between grimaces and grins.

Monfils consulted a trainer after losing the second set but still returned for the third, only to be broken and lose the set.

In a lively atmosphere, Monfils found energy reserves to race to a 4-1 lead in the fourth set, only for Sweeny to reel him back.

Sweeny secured the match on his first match point before collapsing to the court. He will face American eighth seed Ben Shelton in round two.

Paris-born Monfils has never won a Grand Slam but has often advanced deep in major tournaments, including reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne in 2016 and 2022.

Monfils married Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina in 2021 and they welcomed a daughter, Skai, a year later.

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