Gael Monfils' Grand Slam career ends at 2026 US Open in second-round exit
Synopsis
Gael Monfils walked off a Grand Slam court for the last time at the 2026 US Open, beaten by 20-year-old Learner Tien — a player who once asked him for an autograph. The 40-year-old Frenchman leaves with 13 ATP titles, a 34-18 US Open record, and a next act in Swiss wealth management. One era ends; another, younger American story is just beginning.
Key Takeaways
Gael Monfils lost his final Grand Slam match at the 2026 US Open , falling to Learner Tien 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round.
The 40-year-old Frenchman retires with a 34-18 match record across 18 US Open main-draw appearances.
Monfils' career-best Grand Slam result was a semi-final run at the 2016 US Open , where he also reached a career-high ranking of No.
He leaves the tour with 13 ATP Tour titles and plans to work in wealth management at a Swiss company.
Learner Tien , 20, advances to the third round — his deepest run at the US Open — and next faces 17th seed Jakub Mensik .
Gael Monfils closed the final chapter of his Grand Slam career on 4 September at the 2026 US Open, falling to American Learner Tien in straight sets — 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 — in the second round at Flushing Meadows, New York. The 40-year-old Frenchman, who is set to retire at the end of this season, signed off from major tennis with a 34-18 match record across 18 main-draw appearances at the US Open.
A Career Defined by Flair and Resilience
Monfils' Grand Slam journey began at the 2005 US Open with a five-set first-round loss to Novak Djokovic — the same opponent he would face in his finest hour at the same venue. His peak came in 2016, when he reached the semi-finals in New York, matching a career-best Slam result he had first achieved at Roland Garros in 2008. That same year, the Paris-born player climbed to a career-high No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Over his professional career, Monfils accumulated 13 ATP Tour titles, cementing his legacy as one of the most entertaining players of his generation.
On-Court Send-Off at Flushing Meadows
The occasion was marked with an emotional on-court ceremony at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. USTA CEO Craig Tiley and US Open tournament director Eric Butorac presented Monfils with a specially framed picture in recognition of his contributions to the sport. The crowd's reception underscored the affection the New York tennis community holds for the showman from Paris.
What Comes Next for Monfils
Monfils revealed his post-tennis plans candidly after the match. 'I have a new chapter coming next year. I will work in finance,' he said. 'I already sign to work in wealth management in a Swiss company. So my next chapter working in office and working in finance.' The transition from the ATP Tour to the financial sector marks a striking career pivot for the 13-time title winner.
Tien's Rise Continues
Learner Tien, 20, from Southern California, has now defeated Monfils twice in quick succession — the earlier win coming in Montreal last month. In a telling moment after that match, Tien reportedly asked his childhood idol for an autograph. The young American is enjoying a breakout season: he reached the quarter-finals at the 2026 Australian Open and the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Canada. His progression to the third round at the 2026 US Open is his deepest run at the tournament. He next faces Czech 17th seed Jakub Mensik.
Point of View
Yet few players of his era generated more genuine affection from crowds. The symmetry is poetic and a little cruel: his Slam journey started with a loss to Djokovic in 2005 and peaked in 2016 — again against Djokovic. What the match result obscures is the significance of the Tien subplot: a 20-year-old who idolised Monfils is now the one ending his story. That generational handoff, more than the scoreline, is the real headline from Flushing Meadows.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gael Monfils play his last Grand Slam match?
Monfils played his final Grand Slam match on 4 September 2026 at the US Open, losing to Learner Tien 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round. He is set to retire at the end of the 2026 season.
What is Gael Monfils' career record at the US Open?
Monfils finished with a 34-18 match record across 18 main-draw appearances at the US Open. His best result at the tournament was a semi-final run in 2016.
What will Gael Monfils do after retiring from tennis?
Monfils has confirmed he will work in wealth management at a Swiss financial company. He described it as 'a new chapter' involving office work in finance.
Who is Learner Tien and why is this win significant?
Learner Tien is a 20-year-old American tennis player from Southern California who has had a breakout 2026 season, reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals and the Canada Masters semi-finals. His win over Monfils at the 2026 US Open is his second over the Frenchman in as many months and takes him to the third round — his deepest run at the tournament.
What were Gael Monfils' career highlights?
Monfils won 13 ATP Tour titles and reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 in 2016. His best Grand Slam results were semi-final runs at the 2008 Roland Garros and the 2016 US Open.
