One of the finest records in French tennis will soon say goodbye to the tennis courts.
Richard Gasquet announced his retirement from sport at the end of the next Roland-Garros, via the French media The Team.
“I am announcing to you that I will stop at Roland-Garros next year. I think this is the best time for me to do it. This is the best tournament to do it. It’s magnificent, we’re lucky being French to be able to stop in these kinds of incredible places. »
At 38 years old, the Biterrois is one of the most emblematic players on the world circuit due to his longevity and his legendary setbacks.
A professional player for more than 22 years, “the little Mozart of French tennis” has spent more than 956 consecutive weeks in the world top 100. He reached his best ranking in 2007, with a 7th place in the ATP rankings, a year in which he played his first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon.
He will have played two others, at the US Open 2013 and again at Wimbledon in 2015. His best result at Roland-Garros is a quarter-final in 2016, beaten by Andy Murray in four sets.
This year, he brought the crowds to their feet during his first round victory at Roland Garros. In a superb three-hour fight, Richie dominated Borna Coric in a Court Suzanne Lenglen won over to her cause (7-6 [5]7-6 [2]6-4).
Richard Gasquet is a unique player, with a backhand that is as effective as it is aesthetic. A gesture appreciated by all tennis fans and increasingly rare on the world circuit, dominated by the two-handed backhand.
The Frenchman only participated once in the Olympic Games, at London 2012. On the London turf, he won the bronze medal in doubles with Julien Benneteau after a victory over the Spanish pair Feliciano Lopez / David Ferrer (7-6 [4]6-2).
« We will have this medal all our lives », Richard Gasquet then said.
In a few months, a new chapter in his life will open up to him.
