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Gael Monfils, 40, becomes oldest U.S. Open winner

9/3/2026

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Summary

Monfils Wins

Gael Monfils, at 40, became the oldest player to win a U.S. Open match.
He defeated Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on September 1, 2026.
The win was the first U.S. Open victory by a 40-plus player since Jimmy Connors in 1992.
Monfils advanced to face 14th-seeded American Learner Tien in the second round.
His victory tied Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for a 22-season streak of major-match wins.

Summary

Cobolli Comeback

Flavio Cobolli rallied from two sets down to win his first five-set comeback, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Alexander Zverev survived a near-five-hour first-round scare, defeating Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4.
Taylor Fritz said the pressure to end a 23-year U.S. men’s Grand Slam drought weighs on him after his win.
Stan Wawrinka played his final Grand Slam match the day before, concluding his major-tournament career.

History

Historical Context

Ken Rosewall secured the Australian Open title on grass at Kooyong in January 1972, marking a significant veteran’s Grand Slam triumph. Decades later, Gaël Monfils repeated the feat by winning the U.S. Open on September 1 2026, reinforcing that older players can still capture majors and urging the ATP to review age-related ranking policies.

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Monfils Wins

Gael Monfils, at 40, became the oldest player to win a U.S. Open match.
He defeated Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 on September 1, 2026.
The win was the first U.S. Open victory by a 40-plus player since Jimmy Connors in 1992.
Monfils advanced to face 14th-seeded American Learner Tien in the second round.
His victory tied Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for a 22-season streak of major-match wins.

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