Gael Monfils has become the fourth man since 1990 to have won an ATP title after turning 37 following his triumph at the Stockholm Open.
The former top-10 player battled to a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, win over Russian qualifier Pavel Kotov who was playing in his maiden Tour final. Monfils hit a total of 22 winners against 11 unforced errors en route to victory. It is the 12th title he has won in his career with 11 of those wins being on a hard court.
Monfils’ route to the Stockholm crown saw him score wins over Martin Fucsovics, Filip Misolic, second seed Adrian Mannarino and Laslo Djere earlier in the tournament. It is the second time he has won the trophy after 2011.
“Credit to Pavel,” atptour.com quoted Monfils as saying. “He has had an unbelievable week and he was pushing me on the court. I ran a lot today. When I had to save break points in the second set, I tried to push through. I don’t know how I pulled up but I kept believing and fighting.”
The triumph comes during what has been a challenging season for Monfils who missed the first three months of 2023 due to a foot injury and then missed the entire grass swing because of a wrist problem. He is currently ranked 140th in the world but will return back into the top 100 on Monday.
Describing 12 as his lucky number, the Frenchman paid tribute to his coach Mikael Tillstrom who was born in Sweden.
“I’d like to thank Mikael. Before Roland Garros, I told him I needed his help again. He was like really? I’m like ‘yes.’” Monfils reflected.
“He said ‘I watched your match. It was terrible. Tomorrow we’ll practice together.’”
Monfils has become the oldest man in history to have won the Stockholm Open. Since 1990, only three other men have won an ATP trophy at the age of 37 or older – Roger Federer, Feliciano Lopez and Ivo Karlovic.
