In an emotionally charged finale to his Australian Open career, French tennis virtuoso Gael Monfils concluded his twentieth and final tournament appearance with a valiant first-round performance against Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny. The 39-year-old competitor, despite evident physical limitations, delivered moments of his signature brilliance during the 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 match at Kia Arena on Tuesday.
The veteran athlete, whose relationship with the Melbourne tournament began in 2003, received thunderous applause from spectators as he acknowledged his retirement from the competition. ‘My journey started in 2003 with you guys, now we are in 2026 and somehow it’s the finish line,’ Monfils addressed the crowd. ‘Thank you so much for this amazing ride, you guys have been unbelievable.’
Despite mobility constraints that reduced his movement to baseline shuffling, the Frenchman demonstrated remarkable resilience. The match dynamics shifted dramatically when Monfils’ wife, Ukrainian tennis professional Elina Svitolina, arrived courtside, sparking a resurgence in her husband’s performance. The veteran mounted an impressive comeback, breaking his opponent and building a 4-1 advantage in the fourth set.
World number 182 Sweeny ultimately secured his maiden Grand Slam victory with commendable poise, winning six of the final seven games. The Australian’s triumph marked both a personal milestone and the conclusion of an era for one of tennis’s most entertaining personalities, whose flamboyant style and athletic prowess have defined his two-decade presence at the tournament.