Gael Monfils says goodbye to Auckland after defeat by Fabian Marozsan: ‘It’s been a long ride’ | ATP tour | Tennis

Auckland

Monfils says goodbye to Auckland after Marozsan defeat: ‘It was a long ride’

Marozsan goes to Ruud; Michelsen, Giron and Mpetshi Perricard also win
January 13, 2026

Gael Monfils said goodbye to the ASB Classic on Tuesday as the defending champion crashed out in three sets in his final appearance in Auckland.

The 39-year-old Frenchman started his farewell 2026 season by returning to the tournament where he made history last year. Monfils, who in 2025 became the oldest man to win a tour-level title since 1977, was honored with a personalized Maori spear (taiaha) after his 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Fabian Marozsan.

Auckland says goodbye to a legend 🫡

Fabian Maroszan eliminates defending champion Monfils 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round. @ASB_Classic.#ASBClassic26 pic.twitter.com/3hQXj0ntHa

— ATP tour (@atptour) January 13, 2026

“I have great memories here. I’ve been playing here since I was young,” said Monfils, who made his first appearance in Auckland in 2007. “I came when I was 20 and will end up at 40… It’s been a long ride. It’s been a great honor for me to play here, a special country with a great culture. I was lucky to win this title. Auckland has a special place in my heart.”

Last week, Monfils watched his wife Elina Svitolina equal his performance from last year by claiming the WTA 250 title in Auckland. During her award ceremony, Svitolina said: “Before the tournament he told me that it would be great if we both won the same tournament. I always had it in the back of my mind.”

For Marozsan, Tuesday’s victory marked his second victory over Monfils in Auckland and leveled their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2. The Hungarian can now look forward to a second-round clash with second seed Casper Ruud.

Alex Michelsen and Marcos Giron also advanced in Auckland on Tuesday, hosting an all-American meeting. Michelsen, who reached the Brisbane semi-finals last week, defeated Mariano Navone 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, while Hong Kong semi-finalist Giron beat Alexandre Muller 6-2, 6-2.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard served 22 aces in his 6-3, 7-6(2) victory over two-time champion Roberto Bautista Agut, according to Infosys ATP Stats. The 1.80 meter tall Frenchman will next face Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who was born in Auckland and reached two finals there.

Former Next Gen ATP Finals, presented by PIF champion Hamad Medjedovic, continued his qualification, beating Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(2). The Serbian awaits third seed Jakub Mensik.