Gaël Monfils's 22-year grand slam career ended quietly on Thursday night when the 40-year-old Frenchman fell to No 14 seed Learner Tien in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, in the second round of the US Open. The result marks the conclusion of one of tennis's most flamboyant careers—one defined by artistry and showmanship rather than major titles, as Monfils finishes his playing days as one of the sport's greatest players never to win a grand slam championship.
Tien, 20, controlled the match by forcing Monfils into extended baseline exchanges on a humid evening at Louis Armstrong Stadium, wearing down the veteran's legs with patient, methodical tennis. The American finished with just 20 winners compared to Monfils's 29, but his strategy of prolonging rallies proved decisive. After the match, Tien will advance to face Jakub Mensik in the third round, extending his US Open run further.
Monfils, who announced in October 2025 that the 2026 season would be his final year on tour, had hoped for a more dramatic farewell. He may have envisioned something resembling his emotional exit at Roland Garros earlier this year, which stretched past midnight, or a match showcasing more of the signature tweeners and acrobatic shots that have defined his career. Instead, Thursday's encounter proved a subdued conclusion, though Monfils acknowledged the quality of his opponent's performance.
"You always want to give a little bit more, you want to stay a little bit more," Monfils said. "I gave my absolute all, but Learner was a really tough one tonight."
The Frenchman's path to this final grand slam had been improbable. Ranked No 311 and granted only a wildcard entry, Monfils had competed in just two tour-level events since Roland Garros. Yet he arrived at Flushing Meadows with characteristic flair, first advancing to the mixed doubles semi-finals alongside his wife, world No 9 Elina Svitolina. In the main draw's opening round against 60th-ranked Paraguayan Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, Monfils delivered a commanding 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory on his 40th birthday, making him the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors in 1992. The Armstrong Stadium crowd celebrated by singing "Happy Birthday" to the longtime fan favorite.
This was Monfils's 52nd appearance at the US Open, according to ESPN's coverage, a testament to his longevity and consistency across two decades. The American had also met Tien once before, at the National Bank Open in Montreal on 6 August 2026, where Tien prevailed in three sets, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3, in 121 minutes.
A Career Built on Style Over Silverware
Monfils emerged during tennis's golden age, competing alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Over his career, he accumulated nearly 600 singles victories and $25 million in prize money, yet reached the semi-finals of a grand slam only twice—at Roland Garros in 2008 and at the US Open in 2016. Despite this absence of major titles, his distinctive playing style—characterized by no-look slices, tweeners, and explosive movement—earned him a devoted following that rivaled the acclaim given to champions.
Once ranked as high as sixth in the world, Monfils had built a reputation as tennis's great showman, a player whose artistry transcended tournament results. He made his US Open debut in 2005 as a 19-year-old in a baggy yellow tank top, losing a grueling five-set match to Djokovic. Nearly two decades later, he returned to the same tournament for what would be his final grand slam appearance, completing a full circle in his career arc.
How Did Thursday's Match Unfold?
Monfils began competitively but was broken in his third service game as Tien's composed, intelligent lefty game took hold. The Frenchman saved set point twice, at one stage gesturing to the crowd from the corner of the court to urge them on, yet his deep forehands repeatedly sailed long or wide. After a 20-shot rally in the sixth game, Monfils leaned over a towel box in the corner to recover, and while a leaping backhand volley briefly energized both him and the crowd, he accumulated 22 unforced errors in the opening set alone.
Tien's strategy of playing long, patient points gradually sapped Monfils's physical reserves. By the third set, even serving became a labored task. Monfils leaned heavily on his racket before the baseline before double-faulting in the sixth game, the break that ultimately decided the match. In the eighth game, Tien's defense proved remarkable as he saved break point after Monfils, in desperation, held his finger skyward asking for just one break following seven unsuccessful attempts. The moment never came.
What Comes Next for Monfils?
In an on-court ceremony, tournament organizers presented Monfils with a framed photograph. The Frenchman surprised observers by announcing in his post-match news conference that his life after professional tennis will include an office position with a Swiss wealth management company.
Reflecting on his emotional journey through this farewell season, Monfils acknowledged the difficulty of balancing his desire to say goodbye with his competitive instincts.
"A couple months ago [in Paris], it was really tough, because you don't really know what to expect and how you will really react," Monfils said. "It was a little bit tougher for me to handle my emotion and play and perform, because I said that I want to say good-bye but be able to perform well. … It was much better, much easier for me to handle here."
When asked how he wished to be remembered, Monfils offered a characteristically humble reflection.
"I'm just me, Gaël Monfils," he said. "I think I have been the same since I came on tour, with a lot of joy. … The most important for me is how my family lived all these year and how they will remind this ride was unbelievable."
The video board displayed a montage of highlights from throughout Monfils's career as the ceremony concluded. Few moments from Thursday's match are likely to feature in future compilations, but one scene captured the essence of the evening. In the third game of the second set, with the score at 40-0, Monfils delivered a strong serve and attempted a no-look slice on the return. At another moment in his career, such a shot might have been a showstopping winner. On this night, it lobbed into the net, and Monfils's only reaction was to close his eyes and laugh—a fitting final image of a player who had always prioritized joy and artistry above all else.
Key Facts
- Monfils, 40, retires after the 2026 season having won nearly 600 singles matches and $25 million in prize money but never a grand slam title
- His semi-final appearances at grand slams came only at Roland Garros in 2008 and the US Open in 2016
- He became the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors in 1992 when he defeated Vallejo on his 40th birthday in the first round
- Tien advances to face Jakub Mensik in the third round after his second-round victory
- Monfils will pursue an office position with a Swiss wealth management company following his retirement from professional tennis
