Gael Monfils began his 71st Major on Tuesday, and he did it on his 40th birthday. The French veteran opened what is being described as his last Major against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in the first round at the US Open.
That alone gives the match a different weight. Monfils is not just another seedless name trying to get through round one. He is a player who has spent years bending the edges of Major tennis, reaching the semifinals in 2016 and the quarterfinals four times in New York. He had not secured a win at a Major in over a year, and his 4-9 record in 2026 underlined how difficult the closing stretch of his career has become.
Vallejo brings his own reason to watch. The 22-year-old from Paraguay is playing in only his second Major, having made his debut a few months ago in Paris. He has already won 39 matches this season at all levels, with 34 of those victories coming on clay, a surface that has helped him build momentum before stepping into a harder test in New York.
What makes this meeting feel less like an ordinary opener is the uncertainty around Monfils’ wording. He is starting what is described as his last Major, but the question hanging over the match is whether that also means his last appearance at this level if he loses early. At 40, with the wear and tear of a long career showing, the line between a farewell Major and a farewell match has been left open.
Monfils and Vallejo also mirror each other in a way that should make the contest lively. Both are known for a strong forehand and quick movement around the court. For Monfils, the setting adds another layer: New York has been one of his best stops, even as the game has asked more of his body with each passing season. The result of Tuesday’s match was not included, but the moment itself was already fixed before a ball was struck.
