Gaël Monfils played the final grand slam match of his 22-year career on Thursday night, falling 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to No 14 seed Learner Tien in the second round of the US Open. The 40-year-old Frenchman, who has announced he will retire after the 2026 season, finishes his career without a major title, despite being one of the sport's most beloved showmen.
A quieter farewell at Louis Armstrong Stadium
The match at Louis Armstrong Stadium was a subdued end for a player known for spectacular shot-making and five-set epics. Unlike his dramatic five-set comeback at the French Open earlier this year or his dazzling first-round win, Thursday's defeat was a more straightforward affair, with Tien, 20, controlling the baseline rallies on a muggy night.
Monfils, who entered the tournament on a wildcard and is currently ranked No 311, praised the "unbelievable atmosphere" and said he gave his all. "You always want to give a little bit more, you want to stay a little bit more," he said. "I gave my absolute all, but Learner was a really tough one tonight."
A career defined by style and resilience
Monfils competed during the golden era of men's tennis, alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. He won nearly 600 singles matches and earned $25m in prize money, but reached the semi-finals of a grand slam only twice: at Roland Garros in 2008 and at Flushing Meadows in 2016. Despite the lack of major silverware, his signature shots—tweeners, overheads, and remarkable movement—earned him a devoted following.
Once ranked as high as sixth, Monfils dropped to No 311 and received a wildcard for this US Open. He had played only two tour-level events since Roland Garros. His run included a mixed doubles semi-final alongside his wife, world No 9 Elina Svitolina, and a first-round win over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay, ranked 60th. That 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory, on his 40th birthday, made him the oldest man to win a US Open match since Jimmy Connors in 1992, and the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Monfils said: "I'm just me, Gaël Monfils. 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 years and how they will remind this ride was unbelievable."
Tien's patient strategy wins the day
Tien, a composed lefty, wore Monfils down with long rallies and constant movement. He finished with just 20 winners, fewer than Monfils's 29, but forced the Frenchman into 22 unforced errors in the second set alone. Monfils saved set points and gestured to the crowd for support, but his deep forehands frequently landed long or wide.
By the third set, Monfils was visibly fatigued, leaning on his racket before double-faulting in the sixth game, which gave Tien the decisive break. Tien, reaching the US Open third round for the first time, apologized for using drop shots so often. "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."
Post-tennis plans and a final tribute
Tournament organizers presented Monfils with a framed picture in an on-court ceremony. In his post-match news conference, he announced he will take an office job with a Swiss wealth management company after retiring. The ceremony included a montage of career highlights, though few moments from Thursday's match are likely to be included. One notable exception: in the third game of the second set, up 40-0, he attempted a no-look slice that lobbed into the net. His only reaction was to close his eyes and laugh—a fitting, understated end to a storied career.
