"Artist" of the tennis world opens his final show at the US Open with a historic victory

(Tennis Result) On his 40th birthday, Gael Monfils rallied to beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in four sets, prolonging his Grand Slam goodbye at the 2026 US Open.

A day after Stan Wawrinka ended his Grand Slam career with a loss to Matteo Berrettini, Gael Monfils showed he is not ready to say farewell alongside his generational peer.

The Frenchman came from behind to defeat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 in the first round of the 2026 US Open. The victory was even more special as the match took place on Monfils' 40th birthday.

"The Showman" got off to a poor start on Louis Armstrong Stadium. Monfils played inconsistently, made many errors, and allowed his Paraguayan opponent to win the opening set 6-2.

However, the former world No. 6 quickly found his rhythm. Energized by the crowd, Monfils raised his intensity, controlled the rallies, and dominated the second set 6-1.

The momentum continued to favor the Frenchman in the third set. Monfils displayed incredible movement at age 40 before unleashing a beautiful cross-court forehand to close out the set 6-2.

Vallejo gradually lost control in the final set and repeatedly lost his service games. Monfils capitalized on every opportunity, winning 6-0 and ending the match with an ace amid cheers from the New York crowd.

This result makes Monfils the oldest player to win a singles match in the main draw of the US Open since 1992. Back then, Jimmy Connors also defeated Jaime Oncins on his 40th birthday.

No cake was brought onto the court, but the crowd at Louis Armstrong sang "Happy Birthday" in unison as Monfils gave his speech. That moment turned a first-round victory into a special memory in the Frenchman's final career chapter.

"It's truly special to play on my 40th birthday. The atmosphere on the court was electric. I just tried to put on a great performance to repay everyone's affection. You made tonight an unforgettable experience," Monfils shared emotionally.

The nickname "The Showman" has stuck with Monfils due to his improvisational and entertaining playing style. His diving saves, resilient defense, and ability to energize the crowd have made him one of the most unique figures in modern tennis.

Monfils once reached the US Open semifinals in 2016, his best result in New York. Ten years later, the Frenchman returned to Flushing Meadows for the final time, savoring every match before retiring at the end of the season.

This year's US Open is witnessing a series of farewells from a generation of heroes. Wawrinka exited in the first round, while Kei Nishikori couldn't get past qualifying. However, the spotlight for "The Showman" has not yet dimmed.

In the second round, Monfils will face home player Learner Tien. It will be an eagerly anticipated clash between a 40-year-old artist nearing the end of his career and a young talent representing the new generation of American tennis.