Ben Shelton has shared what Gael Monfils is really like after their Australian Open fourth-round clash. The 38-year-old Frenchman was forced to retire from their match on Monday while trailing by two sets to one. Afterwards, Shelton opened up on a private chat he shared with the former world No. 6.

Gael Monfils has been around for a very long time, as the first final he played was in Sopot in 2005. The most recent final he played was in Auckland in 2024, almost two decades later.

Gael Monfils has joined Roger Federer as the only men to reach the Australian Open’s fourth round at age 38 or older since the tournament field expanded to 128 players in 1988.

On the same day, his wife Elina Svitolina beat WTA world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini 2-6 6-4 6-0 to progress into the round-of-16 at Melbourne Park. For years, the French tennis star spoke about his big desire to win at least one Grand Slam before retiring.

Gael Monfils retires to bring unfortunate end to record-breaking Australian Open runLumen5 When Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, released its propaganda video of three Israeli hostages being released Sunday night, there was a striking detail.

After his historic win, Monfils returned to Margaret Court Arena and sat in the stands to watch his wife, Svitolina, eliminate the women's No. 4 seed, two-time major finalist Jasmine Paolini 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 at night.

American tennis star Ben Shelton has shown his class after opponent Gael Monfils was forced to retire in the fourth set of their gripping clash at the Australian Open on Monday night. Monfils pulled the pin with 21st seed Shelton leading 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-2), 1-0 much to the dismay of the crowd.

There are few players in men’s tennis as thrilling to watch than France’s Gael Monfils. On Saturday in Australia, and late Friday night for those watching stateside, Monfils put on an absolute masterpiece of a performance against No.

At the same time, it is worth noting that – with this retirement – Monfils has become the player with the most retirements and walkovers in Open Era together with German Tommy Haas. Both are 33, ahead of Nikolay Davydenko and Philipp Kohlschreiber in this particular ranking.

Ben Shelton (No. 20) will meet Gael Monfils (No. 41) in the Round of 16 at the Australian Open on Sunday, January 19.Monfils enters the Round of 16 after his four-set win on Friday over Taylor

MELBOURNE, Australia — World No. 4 and U.S. Open finalist Taylor Fritz is out of the Australian Open after Gael Monfils continued his vintage run through the tournament. Fritz took the first set 6-3, but from thereafter Monfils took control, prevailing 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (1), 6-4.

Gael Monfils was forced to retire while facing Ben Shelton in the fourth round at the Australian Open and the American has opened up on his opponent.