Backhand, Federer, Adelaide: Everything you always wanted to know about Richard Gasquet (but never had the time to find out) – updated after retirement announcement
Richard Gasquet is one of the best French tennis players in history. Here are the answers to some questions you might ask about the Virtuoso
Richard Gasquet at the 2023 ASB Classic in Auckland
Image Credit: Photosport / Panoramic
You can follow Richard Gasquet on Instagram and Twitter
Who is Richard Gasquet?
Richard Gasquet is a professional tennis player from France. He was born on 18 June 1986 in Béziers, in the South of France. The Frenchman currently lives in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
is richard gasquet retiring from professional tennis?
Yes. Richard Gasquet will be retiring from professional tennis following one final appearance at his home Grand Slam at Roland-Garros in 2025.
Gasquet made the announcement in an interview with L’Equipe that was published on October 10, 2024.
“It’s the best tournament to do it. It’s beautiful, we’re lucky being French to be able to retire in this kind of incredible place. An end is always complicated, all the former great players have often told me, it’s not easy to announce it. You never know when, how, where… Here, in any case, it goes without saying,” Gasquet explained in the interview.
“It’s not heartbreaking because I gave it my all. I’ve played so much, so many matches… I started tennis at 3 years old, it will be 36 years of training, every day!! I started in the pros in 2002, and I’ll be here 23 years later… Twenty-three years on the circuit! I can’t give more, quite simply, I can’t go any further.”
What did Gasquet achieve in Auckland in 2023?
Gasquet won the Auckland International this week, coming from 4-1 down in the final set to beat second seed Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the final. This was his 16th career ATP singles title and made him the oldest men’s champion in 66-year event history, breaking the record held by Jeff Robson, who won the title in1959, when he was 32.
It was also the Frenchman’s first title since s-Hertogenbosch in 2018 and made him the second from his nation to win in Auckland (after Ugo Humbert in 2020).
How tall is richard gasquet?
Richard Gasquet is 6ft (1.83m) tall, according to his profile on ATP official website. He weighs 79kgs (174lbs).
Who are Gasquet’s parents?
Francis and Maryse Gasquet are Richard’s parents. They live in Béziers. Boss of the Sérignan tennis club, they put a racquet in their son’s hands when he was 4 years old. Francis was Richard’s coach and his showed great potential at a very early age. Richard was very precocious and made the cover of French newspaper Tennis Magazine when he was only 9 years old. The media then gave him the nickname “the little Mozart of tennis”.
When did he start his professional career?
Richard Gasquet turned pro in 2002, aged 15. The Frenchman won his first match on the ATP Tour at the Masters 1000 in Monte-Carlo, defeating the world No 54 Franco Squillari and becoming the youngest player (15 years and 10 months) to win a match at that level. That year, he won the Roland-Garros junior title and the US Open junior crown, becoming the junior world No 1 in the process.
Who is Gasquet’s coach?
Gasquet is currently coached by Julien Cassaigne, a former professional tennis player. Previously, Gasquet was coached by Thierry Ascione, Fabrice Santoro and Thierry Tulasne. He began his career alongside Eric Deblicker.
What is Gasquet’s greatest victory?
Richard Gasquet has played more than 900 matches on the ATP Tour and his biggest win came against Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2005. At the time, the Swiss was the world No 1 and Gasquet was ranked No 101. The Frenchman saved three match points before edging Federer in the final-set tiebreak, closing the match with a brilliant backhand passing shot to win 6-7, 6-2, 7-6.
A few weeks later, Gasquet was close to beating Federer again in the final of the Hamburg Masters but eventually lost in the final-set tiebreak that time.
How many titles has Gasquet won?
The Frenchman has won 16 titles on the ATP Tour, including three in Montpellier. He has also lost 17 finals. His 16 titles put him third among French male players, behind Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (18) and Yannick Noah (23). With 592 victories on the Tour (as of February 7, 2023), he is also the most successful French player in tennis history in terms of matches won.
Does Gasquet have Instagram?
Yes, Gasquet has an Instagram account. He regularly uploads posts and stories. He has 159,000 followers as of October 10, 2024. The Frenchman also has a Twitter account (@richardgasquet1), followed by around 122,000 people.
What is his best shot?
Gasquet’s best shot is undeniably his one-handed backhand, which is considered by many as one of the greatest on the Tour.
In an interview to Grand Slam magazine in 2014, the Frenchman said: “I don’t actually think I have an oversized ego, but yes, I think I have the best one-handed backhand on the tour.”
What are some fun facts about Richard Gasquet?
- Richard Gasquet is a big fan of Paris Saint-Germain football team. As often as he can, he attends the matches at the Parc des Princes.
- He enjoys following rugby and supports his hometown Beziers team.
- Richard Gasquet has never beaten Rafael Nadal on the professional tour, though he beat him several times during his childhood.
