Australian Open: Gael Monfils 'surfing on the moment' ahead of Taylor Fritz clash

Gael Monfils is "surfing on the moment" at the Australian Open, after he booked a third-round tie with Taylor Fritz. Monfils became the oldest-ever winner of an ATP Tour title when he triumphed in Auckland earlier in January.

And the 38-year-old has maintained that form at Melbourne Park, defeating fellow Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a five-set thriller before overcoming Daniel Altmaier in straight sets.

Next up for the veteran campaigner is fourth seed Taylor Fritz, who has began his campaign in fantastic fashion, claiming back-to-back straight sets victories.

Since 1988, when the Australian Open moved to Melbourne Park, only Rafael Nadal in 2011 (four) and Roger Federer in 2008 (six) have dropped fewer games than Fritz in 2025 (eight) to make the third round.

But Monfils will hold no fear as he rides a wave of confidence.

Asked how he remains motivated, Monfils replied: "The same thing drove me last year, just trying to be consistent. Try to stay healthy as much as I can. [At the] end of last year I was playing pretty great tennis, felt good, but then I fell a bit short because I got sick.

"Then I had time to enjoy with my daughter. I've been fortunate at the beginning of the season. The body felt good. I was hitting good. I'm just surfing on the moment."

Monfils has won 127 grand slam matches – the most of any French player in the Open Era. Among French players in the Open Era, Monfils (36) only trails Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (37) for match victories at the Australian Open.

His victory over Altmaier also made him only the fourth man aged 38 or over to reach the third round at Melbourne Park, after Ivo Karlovic, Feliciano Lopez and Roger Federer. And he feels as if he has little else to achieve in his career.

"I could finish now. I think I have done what I want in a way. If I do more, it's a bonus. I'm happy," he said. "As I always said from day one, for me the most important is my health. It's very nice, beautiful. Tennis gave me everything I can imagine, so I am already blessed. The rest is a bonus."