Gael Monfils He is 36 years old and a short time ago he seemed on his way out and on his way to retirement, but he still has a lot to give and make history in tennis. The Frenchman, one of the most popular players in the world for his histrionics and athleticism that amazes viewers, also remains very competitive when his physique allows it. After more than a year of battling injuries, Monfils found consistency in recent months and this Saturday qualified for the final of the Stockholm ATPits first definition since January 2022. And an achievement that is a record in the tournament and also in the history of tennis.
Monfils became the oldest tennis player in the history of the traditional Stockholm ATP. “It’s just great. I can tell you that I still have the fire, the passion. Hopefully I can back it up for a couple more years. “I will try to be the oldest to win the ATP in Stockholm”Gael said happily on the court after the victory, which will allow him to play the final on Sunday against Pavel Kotov. But in addition, Monfils stretches an incredible streak of finals in consecutive years, reaching 19 years in a row with at least one ATP final, thus equaling Rafael Nadal and being just one season away from the record he holds with 20 Roger Federer. And that could match next year.
For Monfils it is also a special tournament, since Mikael Tillstrom, one of his coaches, is Swedish. “You know, that’s why I was here 10 days earlier. “I wanted to be well prepared and not take any risks without practice.”Monfils said before the final, that he wants to win for his coach. «The work is not done. I know tomorrow will be difficult. “I want to win for myself, my family and obviously for him.”.
📊 Tennis players with the most consecutive seasons with appearances in finals (Open Era/Men’s Singles):
🇨🇭 Federer | 20 (2000-2019)
🇺🇸 Connors | 19 (1971-1989)
🇪🇸 Nadal | 19 (2004-2022)
🇫🇷 MONFILS | 19 (2005-2023)
🇷🇸 Djokovic | 18 (2006-2023) pic.twitter.com/IqvG5sShdq— MisterOnly.Tennis (@OnlyRogerCanFly) October 21, 2023
2023-10-21 20:22:13
#record #Monfils #equals #Nadal #step #historic #mark #Federer
