ASB Classic: Gael Monfils seeks new goals at ASB Classic as long career continues

Gael Monfils remains passionate about tennis but finds travel challenging. Photo / Photosport

Gael Monfils is looking for a new goal.

The French legend still enjoys competing – and at the age of 38 remains capable of magic of the court – as shown by his results in 2024.

But after more than 20 years on the ATP tour, Monfils, who will feature on Tuesday at the ASB Classic, admits he doesn’t yet have a specific ambition for 2025.

“It’s maybe the first time in my life I don’t have goals,” said Monfils. “I don’t have any type of let’s say needs or anything. The only need is to enjoy myself. I want to play and enjoy myself, but at the end I’m looking for goals.

“I don’t really care about the ranking. I’m more like – play big matches, play the big guys. It’s a little bit tricky to be honest, but hopefully I will find a goal or an interest soon.”

But don’t be fooled. While world No 55 Monfils may not have a target in mind – yet – unlike last year, when qualification for the Paris Olympics was front and centre – his passion for the sport hasn’t dimmed.

“I love tennis,” replied Monfils, when asked what keeps him going. “I love what I’m doing, so of course all the sacrifices you do, they are a little bit easier. When you love something, it’s easier to keep pushing.”

Gael Monfils during a practice session ahead of the 2025 Men’s ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland. Photo / Photosport

He credits his coach, physiotherapist and support team for keeping him driven and fresh, as they are constantly changing the routines and keeping him fresh, along with his agent Nicolas Lamperin, for “understanding” him. So far, the recipe is working.

It felt like Monfils overachieved – again – in 2024. The oldest player in the top 100, he reached the semifinals in Doha and Mallorca and the fourth round at Indian Wells, beating two seeds on the way, including Cameron Norrie. There was also decent runs at Wimbledon (third round) and Shanghai (round of 16), while the most eye-catching result came in Cincinnati, where he topped Carlos Alcaraz, becoming the second oldest to beat a top three player this century, after Roger Federer.

He’s unsure when he will finally stop – and seems a bit tired of the question – which has been a running theme among French media for the past few years. However, when he does retire, it won’t be because of sporting demands, but more everything else around it, particularly the travel.

“I’ve been enjoying myself since the first day I played tennis and [at] 60 years old I will still have this joy,” said Monfils.

“Practice, it’s easy. It’s in the DNA. Stay in shape, it’s easy. It’s more the travel. Now I’m going alone for one month. I won’t see my daughter. This is the joy that I need to still have.”

After his opening-round loss last year – which marked his first visit to Auckland since a captivating semifinal run in 2013 – Monfils said he was unlikely to return, because he preferred to play the first week of the year, rather than the second, ahead of the Australian Open. This year he wasn’t planning to play at all before Melbourne, though wife Elina Svitolina wanted to return here, after her last four appearance in 2024. Ultimately, she couldn’t come – because of injury – but Monfils decided to make the trip, encompassing Brisbane and Auckland, ahead of the big show in Australia.

It’s a bonus for local fans, as Monfils remains one of the great entertainers. The former world No 6, who has collected 12 titles and reached the last four at the French Open and US Opens, is a marvel, with his sliding retrievals, flat forehands, drop volleys, trick shots.

And he is in a good space, ahead of his first-round clash with Spanish world No 44 Pedro Martinez.

“I felt good last week,” said Monfils, who beat talented young American Nishesh Basavareddy in Brisbane before being stopped by Novak Djokovic.

“I felt like I was playing great at the practice and two good matches so here hopefully better than last year, that’s for sure. I have a tough opponent, a bit tricky because we are 1-1 and I don’t really know what to expect in terms of myself. I don’t want to put too much pressure on [myself]. Sometimes when I want to do too good I put pressure, but honestly I feel okay and I want to do the best I can.”

Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.