MELBOURNE, Australia — Gael Monfils, the seasoned pro, faced off against the emerging talent Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round of the Australian Open. Although Monfils aimed to secure a quick victory in straight sets, the match extended to five sets, demonstrating the thrilling dynamics of tennis.
In this contest, the age and experience of 38-year-old Monfils played a crucial role, overshadowing the youthful vigor and strong serves from the 21-year-old Perricard. Just days after earning the title of the oldest player to win an ATP Tour event by defeating Zizou Bergs in Auckland, Monfils struggled at moments in the match, having held match points in both the third and fifth sets. Ultimately, he emerged triumphantly with a score of 7-6 (7), 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-4.
Monfils reflected on the age difference, admitting that while he does try to focus on the game rather than the numbers, the physical toll of a lengthy five-set match is undeniable. “I can tell you that tomorrow morning I will be feeling more 48 than 38,” he remarked, acknowledging the vast career experience he has amassed in contrast to Mpetshi Perricard, who is only at the beginning of his professional journey.
Both players showcased their love for tennis by employing unconventional shots, including between-the-legs attempts, demonstrating creativity and flair during intense rallies. Monfils entered the match with a solid history at the Australian Open, boasting a 34-18 record, while Perricard was making his first appearance at this prominent tournament. Despite previous success at Wimbledon, where he reached the fourth round, Perricard faced Monfils, who was eager to leverage his experience.
Historically, Monfils stands as a figure of resilience, now holding a record of 20 wins against 19 losses in five-set matches. Despite failing to face a single break point against Mpetshi Perricard, Monfils encountered challenges with 18 double faults, one occurring while he was serving for the match in the third set, and another during a crucial match point tiebreaker. These errors allowed Perricard to drag the match into additional hours of gameplay.
After their match, both players shared a moment of camaraderie, cooling down together in the locker room. “Sometimes I look at him and think, ‘He is not 38,’” Perricard commented, recognizing Monfils’s remarkable physicality for his age. He noted that he has room to grow and improve his game to compete effectively at this level.
The opening day of the tournament featured other exciting five-set matches, including Daniil Medvedev, who secured a hard-fought victory against Grand Slam debutant Kasidit Samrej. Holger Rune also overcame Zhang Zhizhen in a dramatic match. Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, demonstrated his dominance with a swift straight-sets win over Jenson Brooksby.
In the women’s category, Emma Navarro needed considerable effort to defeat Peyton Stearns in a tightly contested match, whereas sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina effortlessy dominated her opponent, 16-year-old Emerson Jones. Navarro described her victory as a testament to her resilience and tenacity.
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, experienced her first match since November, securing victory against Ekaterina Alexandrova, despite facing challenges with double faults and unforced errors. Her determination in crucial moments, however, proved decisive. “I’m very proud of how I fought and how I overcame certain situations in that match,” Raducanu expressed, showing her readiness to tackle future challenges.
