Monfils after winning the Auckland tournament: "I'm still convinced I can play good tennis".
Gaël Monfils is immortal! Twenty years after his first final on the circuit, the 38-year-old French player won the 13th title of his career at the Auckland tournament.
After coming very close to elimination in his opening match against Martinez, the Frenchman finally found the resources to go all the way, never surrendering a single set in the process.
On the court after his victory, Gaël Monfils, who became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title since Ken Rosewall in 1977, savored his title.
"I'm super happy to have won a tough final. Age is just a number. You have to keep working. I still believe I can play well.
My first title was twenty years ago. I still have a passion for tennis. I hope I can win more.
It's not easy, but I have a big family, whether it's my team or my friends. Nobody wants me to stop, and I don't either.
But one day it will happen. I'm still convinced that I can play good tennis, and I'm still having fun on the court.
Some moments are harder than others, to be honest. But in the end, I feel lucky.
I'm doing something I love, my family is behind me. It was a really good week. I think I need to keep playing," Monfils confided.