In October, popular Frenchman Gael Monfils announced 2026 would be his last year on tour.
That farewell tour commenced this month, and saw him play his final Australian Open singles match on Tuesday, when he succumbed in four compelling sets to rising Aussie star Dane Sweeny.
The packed crowd, and atmospheric match environment, was emblematic of the energy Monfils always bought to Melbourne Park, going back as far as 2004 - the year he won the boys' singles title.
Monfils would go on to compete in 20 Australian Open main draws, where his best results were quarterfinals in 2016 and 2022.
In this gallery, we look back at an exceptionally entertaining, and enduring, Australian Open journey.
Monfils hoists the trophy after winning the boys' singles title at Melbourne Park in 2004, a year in which he also scooped the junior titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Monfils advanced to the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in 2007, after defeating Marcos Baghdatis in a second-round match under lights at Rod Laver Arena, during which he uncorked a forehand winner at speeds approaching 200km/h.
Monfils advanced to the second week at Melbourne Park for the first time in 2009, where his run ultimately came to an end against fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon.
French support was a feature of Monfils' Australian Open campaigns, where he's pictured en route to the third round in 2010 - helping him build a career record of 37-20 at the event.
In 2012, Monfils advanced to the third round for a fifth consecutive time, beating Marinko Matosevic and Thomaz Bellucci along the way.
Ranked 86th, Monfils (right) upset No.18 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in four sets during an electric evening match in the first round of Australian Open 2013.
In 2014, eventual finalist Rafael Nadal (right) ended Monfils' run at Melbourne Park in the third round, the Frenchman's fifth straight exit at that stage of the tournament.
Captured in one of the photographs of the 2016 tournament, Monfils advanced to his first Australian Open quarterfinal, the seventh time he'd reached that stage at a major.
A trademark celebration followed Monfils' second-round win over Ivo Karlovic at Australian Open 2020, where he would eventually make it to the second week for the fourth time.
Monfils was at his entertaining best at Australian Open 2022, where he returned to the quarterfinals thanks to wins over Alexander Bublik and 16th seed Cristian Garin before eventually falling to Matteo Berrettini in five.
Monfils turned back the clock at Australian Open 2025 where, at 38 years of age, he upset world No.4 Taylor Fritz to reach the last 16.
Following a popular victory that set social media alight, fans clamoured for Monfils' autograph after his defeat of Fritz at Margaret Court Arena.
Monfils (left) hugs Dane Sweeny after the Australian won their pulsating AO 2026 first-round match 6-7(3) 7-5 6-4 7-5 at a packed KIA Arena.
"Somehow it's the finish line," Monfils told the crowd at KIA Arena, "but thank you so much for this amazing ride."