Monfils: "Tomorrow morning, I'll be 48 rather than 38".

After winning the title in Auckland last week, Gaël Monfils followed it up in Melbourne with a five-set win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the 1st round.

At 38, the Parisian never ceases to surprise and resist physically, and will have to prepare for a tricky 2nd round against Germany's Daniel Altmaier.

Asked about his level of recovery in relation to his age, Monfils played the honesty card: "I don't look at my age, it's just a number. I try not to think about it, but I can tell you that tomorrow morning, I'll be more 48 than 38.

The funny thing is that you have the impression that it's so easy that you think I'm 28. But I'm not 28, I'm 38. I'm fine, I've got my little girl, I'm happy.

I have a right to be tired. But I fight and I like it. I like to fight. I'm tired, but I try to outdo myself.

But what, guys, am I going to give the match away? I fight, I train for it. Unfortunately, I'd rather be 28 than 38, I tell you."