US OPEN

September 1, 2026

Gael Monfils

Press Conference

G. MONFILS/A.D. Vallejo

2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0

ERIC BUTORAC: I was a little worried we would have a retirement ceremony, but you played such good tennis, clearly that's not going to happen tonight. But for those of you who don't know, today is Gael's 40th birthday, so we wanted to bring him a little something to celebrate.

(Presenting Gael with a birthday cake.)

THE MODERATOR: First of all, congratulations.

GAEL MONFILS: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: As Eric mentioned, your big win tonight. Can you talk about your level of play tonight?

GAEL MONFILS: Yeah, I was happy with my win. A slow start, slow start, but I felt like I had a lot of break points, so I was not so much worried about, like, the next set.

It was more like for me to move better my legs. I think I was upright a lot with my body. Then somehow I get a little bit tense, but I knew that I was striking well the ball during the week, so it was a matter of time.

You know, when the momentum shift, I could hold the momentum and play, like, a great game today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Happy birthday. Congratulations. Your ball striking you mentioned, it seemed like it was really clean for a lot of this match. How good did you feel, and how important was it for you to just be efficient and finish points fast and hit winners when you could?

GAEL MONFILS: Yeah, I mean, I felt like I was in the better shape this U.S. tour and, you know, played with the guys, found back some rhythm, even though I'm not playing tournaments, so many tournaments, but it was important.

Then it's not easy because not many matches behind just to rely off, but you know, you try still, you know, with the practices. Tonight was the perfect example. Didn't want, you know, to lose first round. That's for sure. Then somehow I felt like even with a sloppy start, I could do better.

I think I keep going for my shots, be versatile with my backhand, tried to use my forehand. Even I didn't have a high percentage first serve, but I think I had a strong second serve today. That allowed me to go a bit for more for the first serve. So my rhythm was there.

Somehow I felt like for a little while I felt like he was pressure, because he didn't -- he couldn't pass me, and this feeling is exactly where, you know, I can be in cruise control.

Q. The jumping forehand in the fourth set, is that not a harder shot than just hitting a regular forehand, and if so, what makes you do that kind of thing?

GAEL MONFILS: Two sets to one, a break up, happy; why not? I won't hit many more, to be honest. Why not? Yes, it's harder, but somehow, you know, it produce more happiness, more joy for me.

You know, I tried it. Lucky I put it in, but somehow, you know, I'm here to also enjoy myself. There's not many time, and you know, it was the right moment, so why not to try?

Q. I'm curious, you mentioned that you haven't been playing as much. What has that been like in general, not playing as many tournaments, but making sure that when you are on court, that you make sure these moments count and that you enjoy yourself?

GAEL MONFILS: Very hard, very hard. I've been talking to the French press. We've been talking about it, to balance, to have enough good practice with great player, to have enough confidence to match up those guys, because those guy, of course, they play week after week after week.

I felt like it's been a really long U.S. tour, to be honest, but good in the same time, because I could stay and practice every day with, you know, top player. Then find back this great striking, find back this confidence that I feel like with my experience and then, you know, when somehow you're a bit fortunate, you can take advantage on. That's exactly what happened tonight.

Q. Of all of the birthdays that you can remember, what was your best or most memorable birthday or birthdays? Was there a gift or some special moment? How does tonight compare to maybe your best birthday?

GAEL MONFILS: I remember actually here I played a great match against Jeremy Chardy on my birthday, and I beat him quite easy, but I was quite strong. I was at my prime. I think I made quarters here, so it was different, but it was good.

I had some picture of my 30 birthday actually I find by my old team here. I won't lie to you, my best birthday was with my family when I couldn't come here, you know, playing.

Tonight was, of course, special. Special number, 40, playing a good match, so it was special. But, yeah, I think my best birthday was -- I can't remember, but was back, you know, with my family. That definitely was the best one.

But, you know, this one, let's say, I will put it in the top 10.