If there’s one name that makes Gael Monfils shudder, it’s Novak Djokovic. Over the course of two decades, Monfils faced Djokovic 20 times on the ATP Tour, and the result was the same each time: a resounding defeat. With Djokovic now holding an incredible 20-0 record against Monfils, this lopsided rivalry is officially the most one-sided in tennis history.
The Final Chapter: Brisbane 2025
On January 2, 2025, the saga continued at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, where Djokovic easily defeated Monfils with a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory. The victory took Djokovic into the quarterfinals of the tournament, where he will face Reilly Opelka, but it also extended his relentless dominance over the Frenchman. For Monfils, it was another chapter in a rivalry that has been less about competition and more about survival against one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
A Rivalry Like No Other
This isn’t just a bad match-up – it’s a historical anomaly. Monfils’ 20 defeats against Djokovic are unmatched in ATP history due to their one-sided nature. Other great rivalries have come close, but none exceed that of Djokovic-Monfils:
- Rafael Nadal vs. Richard Gasquet : Nadal leads 18-0, but their rivalry ended when Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, making further matches impossible.
- Bjorn Borg vs. Vitas Gerulaitis : Borg dominated 17-0.
- Roger Federer vs. David Ferrer and Mikhail Youzhny : Both rivalries ended 17-0 in favor of Federer.
What makes the Djokovic-Monfils dynamic even more fascinating is its longevity. From their first ATP meeting in 2005 to their last clash in 2025, Monfils has faced the Serbian at every stage of his career, with the same result each time.
The Rare Exception: A Forgotten Victory
Technically, Monfils beat Djokovic—once. In 2004, in an ITF Futures match in Italy, Monfils scored a 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 victory over a teenage Djokovic. However, as this match was not part of the ATP circuit, it is not counted in the official head-to-head records. This peculiarity reflects Rafael Nadal’s H2H with Gasquet, who also scored an early victory at a Challenger level before suffering 18 consecutive defeats.
Why is Djokovic unstoppable against Monfils?
The reasons for Djokovic’s domination over Monfils are multiple. Djokovic’s precision, ability to absorb and redirect power, and mental toughness neutralize Monfils’ flamboyant athleticism and unpredictable style. While Monfils dazzles with his acrobatics, Djokovic responds with consistency and an unrivaled ability to read his opponent’s game.
Even Monfils’ best efforts failed. Many of their matches were straightforward affairs, and when Monfils pushed Djokovic to the limit, the Serb’s resilience always prevailed.
A Record That May Never Be Broken
With 20 consecutive victories, Djokovic’s perfect record against Monfils is unlikely to be replicated. The dominance, longevity and historical context of this rivalry make it one of the most remarkable series in tennis. For Djokovic, it’s another testament to his greatness. For Monfils, it’s a haunting reminder of a mountain he was never able to climb.
As Djokovic continues his quest for additional titles and Monfils approaches the twilight of his career, their rivalry serves as a symbol of the fine margins that separate the great from the merely exceptional.
