The first life of Richard Gasquet Stopped on May 29, 2025, at 4:17 p.m., on a last forehand a little too long after a marvel of setbacks with one hand … For its 1018th and last ATP match, the Biterrois, 39 years in a few days, had the honors of an almost full central and a symbolic defeat against the world n ° 1 Jannik Sinner (6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in 1h57).
The final point of twenty-three years of career and some feats of arms that will remain in good place in the great book of French tennis. “It’s hard to talk about Richard,” says Sinner, who only had a year when his opponent won his first match on the circuit and conceals his embarrassment at the microphone. He has had an incredible career in an incredible era of tennis that everyone will remember. Congratulations on everything and the new chapter that opens. »»
Before definitively put his snowshoes to receive the tribute from the Parisian public, Gasquet still feasted a few paws and above all Enjoyed his last moments Under the tender and humid gaze of his relatives.
Then, the face of Rafael Nadal, his childhood “martyr” before becoming his “court of short”, appeared on giant screens at the start of a video retracing highlights of more than two decades of Gasquet.
As it is now the custom for each farewell ceremony – and we are starting to be used in recent years – the director of the Amélie Mauresmo tournament and the president of the FFT Gilles Moretton came to put the Tiramisu Vitré to the all -strickers which represents the various strata of the Parisian clay.
“I thought a lot to this day, hoping that it never happens,” breathes Gasquet. I cannot dream better than stop on this incredible short. It is the most beautiful short in the world. Around 8 or 9 years old, I came to the stands with my father and I would never have thought of playing 22 times here. »»
“The four (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray) hurt us very much, but it’s beautiful to have played against them”
The words “emotions” and “souvenirs” are looping in the improvised speech of the winner of the 2017 Davis Cup. “You have always been there, he says to his fans. Tennis is not that Roland-Garros. I had exceptional emotions thanks to you, you have never let us all four with Jo (Tsonga), Gaël (Monfils) and Gilles (Simon). I will have memories for life thanks to this audience. »»
Too bad the constraints of his comrades prevented them from coming to join him in the middle of the court. Just a small clip to which Novak Djokovic joined, never the last to greet his contemporaries. In short, despite the “Richard, Richard” chanted by a grateful crowd and the white t-shirts “thank you Richard” exhibited by those around him, he missed a small soul in this sweet spring afternoon. A little too smooth and agreed …
As if the most beautiful tribute to the bronze medalist of the 2012 Olympic Games, winner of sixteen ATP 250, had taken place on Sunday, at the turn of a sentence heavy with meaning pronounced by Nadal during his speech. When the man with 14 Roland-Garros speaks, we listen to him.
The Spaniard, whose imprint is now sealed in the soil of the court Philippe-Chatrier for eternity, cited the Habs among the first names of players, as a rival of youth and especially friends. “I was at my house with my mother and I didn’t expect that,” says Gasquet. I know that we will find ourselves outside. The four (with Federer, Djokovic and Murray) hurt us very much, but it is beautiful to have played against them and to have them as friends. »»
After posing with Sinner and his trophy, “Ritchie” left the scene. “The passion for tennis will stay whatever happens until the end of my lifehe sighs. Long live tennis, long live France! »»
