The veteran French tennis player Gael Monfils, who at 37 years old and after overcoming several serious injuries is trying to regain prominence on the ATP circuit, won this Sunday in Stockholm the 12th title of his career, after beating the Russian Pavel Kotov by a tight 4- 6, 7-6 (8/6) and 6-3.
This victory will allow the French tennis player, who will turn 38 in January and current number 140 in the ATP, to rejoin the Top 100 one week before the Paris-Bercy Masters 1,000, where he hopes to continue shining and giving something to talk about. And he has raised his level considerably.
In addition, he becomes the oldest winner of the ATP 250 in Stockholm and the winner with the lowest ranking since the Croatian Borna Coric won the Cincinnati Masters 1,000 in 2022, being No. 152 in the world.
Monfils, who in 2016 became No. 6 in the ATP and whose last title was in Adelaide in January 2022, had to battle hard for two hours and 35 minutes to overcome Kotov, No. 109, who arrived to the final from the previous phase.
Likewise, he became the oldest French player to win a title since the creation of the Open Era. Likewise, he equaled the mark of Rafael Nadal (2004-2022) and Jimmy Connors (1971-1989) with 19 consecutive seasons reaching at least one final (2005-2023).
Gael Monfils celebrates his victory at the Stockholm ATP
AFP
Not satisfied with this and continuing along that same path, as ‘ESPN’ reported, “he is one season away from reaching Roger Federer’s record (20 consecutive seasons, 2000-2019).” Finally, like their compatriot Arthur Fils, they are the only two tennis players who managed to lift a title in 2023 while outside the Top 100.
Results of the 7th day of the Stockholm tennis tournament.
Men’s Singles – Final:
Gael Monfils (FRA) defeated Pavel Kotov (RUS) 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3
2023-10-22 20:30:16
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