Gaël Monfils – Joy, Longevity and Flair

In a sport increasingly defined by rankings, analytics, and relentless discipline, Gaël Monfils remains one of the sport’s most refreshing outliers. At 37 years old, he’s still battling it out on the ATP tour – not because he has something to prove, but because he loves the game.

We saw it again at the Australian Open 2025. The same explosive movement. The signature smile. The unpredictable shot-making. Monfils isn’t just playing tennis – he’s performing it.

Where others rely on percentages, Gaël thrives on feel. While much of modern tennis revolves around minimising risk and maximising efficiency, Monfils does something different: he invites chaos, and somehow controls it. He dives for volleys, hits tweeners mid-rally, and celebrates with flair that only he can pull off – all while keeping the crowd completely locked in.

Monfils at Australian Open 2025

But what makes his career truly remarkable isn’t just the highlight reels. It’s his longevity with authenticity. He’s stayed relevant for nearly two decades in a sport that’s brutal on the body and even harder on identity. And he’s done it without ever compromising who he is.

In many ways, Monfils is more than a tennis player – he’s a reminder. A reminder that sport isn’t only about data, titles or “the grind”. It’s about joy, expression, and the emotional connection between athlete and audience.

He shows us that there’s still room in tennis for creativity, improvisation and personality – and that sometimes, the most memorable players aren’t the ones with the most trophies, but the ones who make us feel something.

Gaël Monfils doesn’t just play tennis.
He makes us love it all over again.