In the stands, Gael Monfils’s wife, Elina Svitolina, was in an intense position throughout the week as she watched Monfils fight for the last mix of hope in his aging career. The 37-year-old French star had been sidelined for the majority of the 2023 season and dropped 140 in the world ranking.
It was his sheer perseverance at the Stockholm Open that saw him triumph in the second round to the final to lift the BNP Paribas Nordic title twelve years after lifting the first. Along with that, Monfils went home with the Stockholm Open prize-winning check.
Gael Monfils beats Pavel Kotov to win Stockholm Open 2023
Gael Monfils victory over Pavel Kotov 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-3 made him the oldest champion in the history of the Stockholm Open and Monfils first title of the season. The 37-year-old French star displayed great athleticism to overcome Kotov, who was the first qualifier to reach an ATP tour final since Jiri Vesely in the 2022 Dubai Open.
Gael Monfils hung in points throughout the two-hour, 35-minute of the clash to absorb Kotov’s power and also demonstrated a great forehand touch to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
“Credit to Pavel,” Gael Monfils said. “He has had an unbelivable week and he was pushing me on the court. I ran a lot today. When I had to save break points in the second set, I tried to push through. I don’t know how I pulled up but I kept believing and fighting.”
“The funny thing is it’s my 12th title. 12 years later I won here. I guess 12 is my lucky number so.. crazy. Short story but long story. I’d like to thank Michael. Before Roland Garros, I told him I need is help again. He’s like really? I’m like ‘yes.’ He said ‘I watched your match. It was terrible. Tomorrow we’ll practice together.’”
“Special week for me with 3 ladies. My mom, thank you. As always it’s nice to win a title in front of her. My wife Elina. Thank you. The last one my daughter Skaï who’s watching in front of the TV. It’s my first time as a father I’ve won a title. It’s very special,” Gael Monfils added.
Gael Monfils arrived at the Stockholm Open at No. 140 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings after being sidelined with injuries for the majority of the season. Fully fit and in bursting form, Monfils won his 12th tour-level trophy, becoming the lowest-ranked ATP champion since the then-World No. 152 Borna Coric won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati in 2022.
How much money did Gael Monfils make winning the Stockholm Open 2023?
The Stockholm Open had always been carpet courts but the 2023 edition was played on an indoor hard court that provided a last-minute points grab for players still running for the ATP Finals in Turin.
The Stockholm ATP 250 had a pool of prize money that totaled up to $712,532, a slight increase of 3.93% from last year. Gael Monfils the Stockholm champion would pick up the prize-winning money of $108,759, which is 3.9% more than what last year’s champion Holger Rune received. Pavel Kotov, runner-up received $63,434 as prize money. The semifinalist received $37,295.
Those small percentage increases are mirrored across the entirety of the draw. For instance, the first-round losers got 4.0% more than they did in the 2022 edition with €7,225. The prize money is hardly inflated but better than nothing.
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