Gael Monfils defeats Zizou Bergs in Auckland to win men's singles title

French tennis cult hero Gael Monfils won the men's singles tournament at the ASB Classic in Auckland on Saturday to become the oldest man to secure a tour-level title in 48 years.

At 38 years and 132 days, Monfils also became the oldest player to win a title on the ATP Tour, which was launched in 1990.

Monfils defeated 25-year-old Belgian Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in the ATP 250 hard-court final to become the oldest man to clinch a tour-level title since Australian legend Ken Rosewall, who won the 1977 Hong Kong trophy.

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Roger Federer, the previous oldest man to win an ATP Tour title, was 38 years and 74 days when he picked up the final title of his career, the 2019 Swiss Indoors Basel crown.

Monfils claimed his 13th tour-level title and first since the 2023 Nordic Open in Stockholm.

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He won his first ATP Tour title when he triumphed in the Polish town of Sopot in 2005.

Monfils, a former world No.6, is currently ranked 52nd and is the oldest player in the history of the ATP Tour to be ranked in the top 100.

Gael Monfils overflows with joy in Auckland. Getty

As Monfils let out a spirited roar and threw his arms above his head in celebration of the history-making win in Auckland, he was treated to a standing ovation by a packed crowd.

"It means a lot [to win]," Monfils said in his on-court interview.

"But we keep working. I keep believing that I can play high-quality tennis, and I have been showing it this week so I am very happy.

"[My first title] was 20 years ago. I still have the passion to play tennis. I feel I [can] still strike the ball very well.

"Hopefully, many more to come."

Monfils is now set to travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open, in which he'll play 21-year-old Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round on Monday.

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