Gaël Monfils Bids Farewell to Grand Slam Tennis After US Open Defeat

The 40-year-old Frenchman was eliminated in the second round of the US Open, falling 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to No. 14 seed Learner Tien. The match concluded Monfils’ Grand Slam career, ending a run that began with his junior debut at the tournament in 2003.

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Monfils entered the 2026 US Open having played 201 major matches, accumulating 131 wins—the most ever recorded by a French player in Grand Slam history, according to the ESPN article. Over two decades he captured 13 ATP titles and reached two Grand Slam semifinals, earning a reputation for athleticism and showmanship. He announced plans to compete in a few additional tournaments before retiring on home soil at the Paris Masters.

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Tien, coached by former French Open champion Michael Chang, displayed consistency and tactical variety, employing drop shots that forced errors from Monfils. Monfils dropped serve in both the first and second sets and squandered a 0-40 break point in the eighth game of the second set, allowing Tien to extend his lead. In the third set, Monfils slipped another break and ultimately lost the decisive forehand into the net. Tien reflected on the encounter, noting that his earlier meeting with Monfils in Montreal helped him manage nerves.

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• “I think playing him in Montreal really helped with the nerves,” — Learner Tien

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