“Next year maybe that might be it” – Gasquet hints at stopping at next year’s Roland-Garros

The Frenchman was knocked out of this year’s French Open in the first round by countryman Rinderknech

Richard Gasquet during his first round match at the 2023 French Open

Richard Gasquet at the 2023 French Open Image Credit: Federico Pestellini / Panoramic

May 31, 2023

French veteran Richard Gasquet hopes to be back for one final Roland-Garros next year after being knocked out in the first round of this year’s event.

Playing in his 20th French Open, Gasquet was defeated by countryman Arthur Rinderknech in four sets and later told the media that although he had not thought about his retirement plans, he hopes to play his home Grand Slam next season.

“No, I haven’t thought about it (retirement). I hope to be able to still play next year, have a last Roland Garros. We’ll see the ranking. I’ll have to defend some points. In the beginning of the year,” the 36-year-old said. “I’ll see where I am in the rankings. If I lose too many points and I’m too far, well, we’ll see where I stop. Maybe next year in Roland Garros. It’s a possibility. Why not? It’s not impossible. Everything can be done.”

“It would be the most beautiful place to end my career” – Gasquet

Gasquet, who best performance in Paris has been a quarter-final finish in 2016, admitted that the French Open would be the ideal place for him to hang up his rackets whenever he decides to do so.

“Obviously, if I had a place to pick, it would be here maybe. Maybe in a year. I hope I can still hold for the next year and see the ranking. If I’m decent in my ranking, then it will be time to finish, to end,” the world No 52 said.

“I’m ranked around 60. I’m not ridiculous. Anything can be done, but finishing in Roland-Garros would be great. It’s better than finishing elsewhere. It would be the most beautiful place to end my career. We all watched TV when we were young and watched Roland Garros. It’s true that there’s no better place to finish my career than here. Next year maybe that might be it.”