Legacy of much-loved Monfils runs deep in US Open showdown of Tiafoe and Shelton

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

Gaël Monfils played his final professional match at the US Open, drawing widespread admiration for his career and influence on Black male tennis players. His retirement coincides with a rising generation of Black athletes, including Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, who are competing in the tournament’s semi-finals and could become trailblazers as the next Grand Slam champions from this demographic.

This year’s US Open has been marked by a series of farewells from players announcing plans to retire, with Gaël Monfils’ departure standing out as particularly poignant. The Frenchman, 40, played his final match on Louis Armstrong Stadium against 20-year-old American Learner Tien, who competed in front of his home crowd. Despite losing in straight sets, Monfils captivated the audience throughout, demonstrating the deep affection held for him by tennis fans and his peers alike.

Monfils’ influence extends beyond his popularity, resonating strongly among fellow professionals, especially within the community of Black players. Frances Tiafoe has spoken about looking up to Monfils during his youth, while Arthur Fils refers to the Frenchman as an older brother figure. Naomi Osaka has affectionately nicknamed him “the Goat.” Historically, Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga set the standard for Black male players in tennis, a sport that has seen a longer history of prominent Black players in the women’s game.

As Monfils prepares to end his career, a new generation of Black men has emerged at the top of the sport. Last month, the Cincinnati Open final featured two Black players competing in a Masters 1000 final for the first time. Arthur Fils, the 22-year-old Frenchman, overcame a year of injuries to defeat Tiafoe and claim his first major title. This followed Ben Shelton’s victory at the Canadian Open in Montreal. Now, Tiafoe and Shelton face each other in the US Open semi-finals, with the winner set to become the first Black man since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the 2008 Australian Open—and the first African American since MaliVai Washington reached the Wimbledon final in 1996—to advance to a Grand Slam final. The champion will attempt to become only the third Black male Grand Slam winner after Arthur Ashe and Yannick Noah.

Alongside last year’s semi-finalist Félix Auger-Aliassime, four Black players are currently ranked inside the ATP’s top 11, underscoring the significant presence of Black athletes in elite men’s tennis today. The esteem in which Monfils is held, despite never reaching a Grand Slam final, highlights the importance of the current moment for both the sport’s future and the players themselves.

For Tiafoe and Shelton, both Americans, the significance is heightened by the context of American men’s tennis, which has seen a decline since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory—the last time an American man won the tournament. With no multiple Grand Slam champions remaining in the current draw, the competition is wide open. The other semi-final features top seed Alexander Zverev against former top-10 player Karen Khachanov, meaning all four players have a chance at the title.

Shelton, in just his fourth US Open main draw appearance, will face Tiafoe for the third time at this tournament. Shelton won their 2023 quarter-final meeting, while Tiafoe claimed victory in a demanding five-set match in 2024’s third round. The two have developed a strong friendship, which fuels their competitive spirits and drives them to perform at their best. Both are known for their inventive, versatile playing styles and explosive athleticism, making their matchup an anticipated contest of complementary strengths.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.