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Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

US Open Marvel: Adrian Mannarino’s Timeless Game at 37

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Steen Kirby | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 12:15 AM ET

Adrian Mannarino: A Timeless Competitor

Adrian Mannarino, the 37-year-old Frenchman, is a player we may never see the likes of again on the ATP Tour. A former top-20 player, he has captured just five career ATP titles since beginning his professional journey in 2008. While his trophy cabinet may be modest, Mannarino has earned widespread admiration for his longevity on tour, a testament to his resilience and consistency. Remarkably, he has only won more than 30 tour-level matches in a single year twice—2017 and 2023.

Defying Expectations and Recent Form

After a slow start to 2025, winning just 9 of 20 matches at ATP level, many expected Mannarino to fade from the tour, with retirement looming. Yet the veteran left-hander has found a late resurgence in form. His flat, precise game, though lacking raw power, has become menacing to opponents in recent weeks. Mannarino may lack the physical tools of the modern elite, but his tactical intelligence and court craft allow him to compete at a high level. His upcoming US Open third-round match against Ben Shelton, a big-hitting, explosive server, will be a stern test. That third round match arrives after Mannarino upset Tallon Griekspoor in the first round, and defeated Jordan Thompson, who complained about the condition of the tennis balls at the US Open, in round 2.

Earlier in the summer, Mannarino showed he still belongs among the best. At the Cincinnati Masters, he qualified for the main draw and reached the fourth round, ultimately losing narrowly in straight sets to Jannik Sinner after upsetting seeded players Tomas Machac and Tommy Paul. On grass, Mannarino excelled at Newport, reaching the final, while also advancing to the third round at Wimbledon following a successful qualifying campaign. Notably, three of Mannarino’s five ATP titles came in 2023, when he was already over 35—a rare feat in professional tennis, highlighting his ability to refine and improve his game despite the physical limitations of age. Mannarino has told the media that he plans to continue to play as long as he can on tour.

Experience Against Top Players

Experience has become Mannarino’s greatest asset. While his record against top-10 players stands at 10–60, three of those wins came in 2023, including two on grass, a surface where he consistently thrives. At the US Open, Mannarino has tested elite competition before: he pushed Andy Murray to five sets at the 2015 tournament, and in 2023 he battled Frances Tiafoe to the limit before bowing out in the third round. Even in defeat, Mannarino forces top opponents to fight for every point.

Against lower-ranked players, Mannarino has often excelled. In 2017, he went 10–0 on the Challenger Tour, and in 2014 he posted a 29–2 record at the same level. While he has never reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal, he has competed in all four majors multiple times. At the French Open, he reached the second round three times; at the Australian Open, he made it to the second week twice (2022 and 2024); and at Wimbledon, he has matched that mark three times. At the US Open, he has reached the third round six times.

Adaptation, Technique, and Resilience

Mannarino has earned immense respect across the tour. The ATP described his game as “magic“. In 2015, he changed his grip to compensate for a painful hand injury that limited his forehand. Despite ongoing struggles with his knee, hip, and hand, he has persevered—winning matches even a decade after modifying his swing.

Mannarino uses some of the lowest string tension on the ATP Tour at just 8 kilos. Self-aware of his limitations, he maximizes his craft, precision, and tactical intelligence. His game serves as an inspiration to players worldwide, proving that mastery and experience can often compensate for physical shortcomings.

The US Open and a Potential Career-Defining Triumph

A victory over Ben Shelton in the US Open third round would arguably be the crowning achievement of Mannarino’s career, symbolizing his enduring relevance and the timeless quality of his game. At 37, he continues to show that intelligence, adaptability, and perseverance remain as important as speed and power on the modern ATP Tour.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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