Gael Monfils made history by becoming the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title with victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
French Monfils defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the final to win his 13th title at tour level.
At 38 years and four months, Monfils became the oldest singles champion since the inception of the ATP Tour in 1990.
The record was already held by the great Swiss champion Roger Federer – he was 38 years and two months old when he won the Basel champion title in 2019.
“It means a lot. “Age is a number,” Monfils said.
“But we’re still working. I still believe I can play high-quality tennis and I showed that this week, so I’m very happy.”
Victory in Auckland also means Monfils becomes the oldest man to win the tour-level title since 43-year-old Ken Rosewall won it in Hong Kong in 1977.
“I don’t win very often. I have been playing for over 20 years and have only won 13 times,” added Monfils.
The world number 52, who won his first title in 2005, will now travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday.
Monfils will face 21-year-old rising star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first all-French round.
