At 38, tennis maestro Gael Monfils is defying age and setting new records with each tournament. His spectacular performance in the 2025 season has seen him hit several age milestones. His most recent achievement came at the Miami Masters, where he secured his position in the third round after two triumphant victories.
Monfils’ tenure in the tournament started on a high note, as he dismissed Fabian Marozsan in the first round. His second-round opponent was the 26th seed Jiri Lehecka, against whom he pulled off a thrilling 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 win in a grueling match that lasted over two hours. This victory positioned Monfils as the second-oldest player to chalk up two wins at a single Masters 1000 event, only behind Ivo Karlovic, who achieved the feat six years earlier at Indian Wells when he was 40.
Monfils also etched his name in the Miami Open’s history as the second-oldest player to reach the third round since Jimmy Connors in 1992. This commendable feat was celebrated by Tennis TV on their Twitter handle, emphasizing the Frenchman’s resilience and determination.
Monfils exhibited exceptional skill, outfoxing his young Czech opponent in the first set. Despite Lehecka’s efforts in the second set, the two players remained evenly matched leading to a decisive tie-break. Monfils found himself on the brink of defeat, staring at a match point at 7-8. However, he held his nerve, saved the match point, and clinched the breaker 10-8, thereby earning his age milestones.
The Frenchman’s superior serve and defensive game were on full display as he denied four of five break points. Despite losing his serve twice in the opener, Lehecka bounced back, but he couldn’t seize the crucial moments, leading to his exit in the second round. Monfils, on the other hand, expertly managed his strokes against his aggressive opponent.
Monfils’ impressive stats included 32 direct points and 22 unforced errors, surpassing Lehecka’s 38-48 ratio. He also held a commanding 34-25 advantage in service winners, demonstrating his dominance from the baseline by overpowering the young Czech 54-34. Although Lehecka showed strength at the net, it wasn’t enough to topple Monfils, who dominated the shortest exchanges up to four strokes.
Monfils’ match-winning performance was a masterclass in tenacity and skill. He clinched the opening set in just 24 minutes, showing his best form. After defending two break points in the first game, he gained momentum, passing his opponent with a backhand down the line winner in the second game and securing another break two games later.
In the second set, Lehecka managed to deny two break points in the second game and took advantage of Monfils’ backhand error in the fourth game to secure a 3-1 lead. However, Monfils was not to be deterred. He faced the potential exit in the seventh game, but with sheer grit and determination, he fought back.
The match’s climax was a tie-breaker filled with tense exchanges. Despite facing match points at 4-6 and 6-7, Lehecka managed to save them. However, Monfils’ resilience shone through as he saved a match point with a service winner, hit another for the fourth match point, and finally clinched it with a backhand winner. This triumphant win propelled Monfils into the third round, capping off an unforgettable age-defying performance.
