Gael Monfils waved goodbye to the ASB Classic on Tuesday, when the defending champion bowed out in three sets in his final appearance in Auckland.

The 39-year-old Frenchman began his farewell 2026 season by returning to the tournament where he made history last year. Monfils, who in 2025 became the oldest man to win a tour-level title since 1977, was honoured with a personalised Maori spear (taiaha) after his 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Fabian Marozsan.

“I have great memories here. I have been playing here since an early age,” said Monfils, who made his first Auckland appearance in 2007. “I came when I was 20 and I’m finishing in my 40s… It’s been a long ride. It’s been a big honour for me to play here, a special country with great culture. I was fortunate to win this title. Auckland has a special place in my heart.”

Last week, Monfils watched his wife Elina Svitolina match his achievement from last year by claiming the WTA 250 title in Auckland. At her trophy ceremony, Svitolina said: “Before the tournament, he told me it would be amazing if we both won the same tournament. I always had it in the back of my mind.”

For Marozsan, Tuesday’s win marked his second victory over Monfils in Auckland and levelled their Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 2-2. The Hungarian can now look forward to a second-round clash with second seed Casper Ruud.

Alex Michelsen and Marcos Giron also advanced on Tuesday in Auckland, where they set an all-American meeting. Michelsen, who reached the Brisbane semi-finals last week, overcame Mariano Navone 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, while Hong Kong semi-finalist Giron beat Alexandre Muller 6-2, 6-2.