Gael Monfils bids farewell to Auckland after Fabian Marozsan loss: ‘It’s been a long journey’ | ATP Tour
Auckland
Monfils bids farewell to Auckland after Marousan defeat: ‘It’s been a long journey’
Marozsan advances to face Van Nistelrooy; Michelsen, Giron, Mpesh Perikad also win
January 13, 2026
Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
Gael Monfils played his final game in Oakland on Tuesday.
Jerome Coombe
Defending champion Gael Monfils eliminated the ASB Classic in three sets on Tuesday in his final match in Auckland.
The 39-year-old Frenchman returns to the event where he made history last year to begin his farewell to the 2026 season. Monfils, who in 2025 became the oldest man to win a tour title since 1977, was awarded a personalized taiaha after defeating Fabian Marozsan 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Auckland bids farewell to legend 🫡
Fabian Maroszan defeated defending champion Monfils 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 and advanced to the second round @ASB_classic.#ASBClassic26 pic.twitter.com/3hQXj0ntHa
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 13, 2026
“I have great memories here. I’ve played here since I was a kid,” said Monfils, who made his Auckland debut in 2007. “I came here when I was 20 years old and now I’m in my 40s… It’s been a long journey. It’s a huge privilege for me to play here, it’s a special country with a great culture. I’m lucky to have won this championship. Auckland holds a special place in my heart.”
Monfils watched his wife Elina Svitolina capture the WTA 250 title in Auckland last week, equaling his achievement last year. Speaking at the award ceremony, Svitolina said: “Before the match, he told me that it would be great if we both won the same match. I always kept that in mind.”
For Marossan, Tuesday’s victory marked his second win over Monfils in Auckland and leveled their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2. The Hungarian can now look forward to a second-round clash with second seed Caspar Ruud.
Alex Michelsen and Marcos Giron also advanced Tuesday in Oakland, where they had an All-American game. Michelsen, who reached the Brisbane semi-finals last week, defeated Mariano Navone 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, while Hong Kong semi-finalist Geelong defeated Alexander Muller 6-2, 6-2.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard hit 22 aces to beat two-time champion Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 7-6(2), according to Infosys ATP statistics. The 6-foot-8 Frenchman will next face Englishman Cameron Norrie, who was born in Auckland and has reached two finals there.
The former Next Generation ATP final, led by PIF champion Hamad Medjedovic, went on to beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2) in the qualifying round. The Serbian is awaiting third seed Jakub Mencic.
