The ageless Gael Monfils will return to the Auckland Classic in January to defend his title, a year after becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour crown.

The flamboyant Frenchman, who turns 39 next month, beat Belgian Zizou Bergs in the 2025 final, making him the oldest player to win a tour-level title since Ken Rosewall triumphed in Hong Kong aged 43 in 1977.

Monfils, a 13-time ATP champion and former world number six, is the first player confirmed for the 2026 tournament, organisers said on Tuesday.

"I love the game. I love to compete," Monfils said in a statement.

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