Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic were among the many who honored Richard Gasquet after he announced his retirement from professional tennis. The French veteran ended his career at Roland Garros following a second-round loss to world number one Jannik Sinner.
A ceremony was held on Court Philippe Chatrier to celebrate Gasquet’s long and successful journey in the sport. Over the years, he claimed 16 ATP titles and reached the semi-finals of three Grand Slam events. The ATP also acknowledged his retirement with a tribute video featuring notable players.
Nadal, who also played his last French Open this year, expressed admiration for Gasquet, with whom he shares a strong friendship dating back to their junior days. Despite Nadal’s perfect 18-0 record against him, the two have long respected each other on and off the court. The Spaniard said in the tribute video from ATP Tour:
Hey Richard, first of all, many congratulations on your amazing career. I can’t forget all those years we were small kids, just trying to follow our dreams. For me, it has been a big pleasure to be your rival, to be your friend. You have a friend here for whatever you need, and I hope to be able to see each other very often again. All the best, Richard, and many congratulations.
Djokovic also shared his thoughts, having defeated Gasquet in 13 of their 14 meetings. One of their most memorable encounters came at Wimbledon in 2015, when Gasquet reached his final Grand Slam semi-final. He said:
The moment has arrived that you’re playing your last Roland Garros…All the very best, my friend, and thank you for everything you’ve done for tennis.
Richard Gasquet is satisfied with career
Richard Gasquet played his final professional match at Roland Garros on Thursday, falling to world number one Jannik Sinner in the second round. Despite the loss, he left the court smiling, soaking in the applause from the French crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was his 22nd main draw appearance at the tournament and marked the end of a long and memorable career.
Gasquet gained attention early in life, appearing on the cover of France’s Tennis Magazine at just nine years old. He became the youngest player to win an ATP Tour match at 15, a record he still holds. More than two decades later, he remained a fixture in top-level tennis, showcasing his trademark flair and backhand.
Throughout his career, Gasquet competed against the sport’s elite on some of the biggest stages. He reached three Grand Slam semi-finals and claimed 16 titles on the ATP Tour. He also qualified twice for the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals, a testament to his consistency and talent over the years.
As he steps away from the professional circuit, Gasquet expressed gratitude for the journey he has had. Though he won’t compete on tour again, his passion for the game remains strong. With 610 tour-level wins, the most by a French player in the Open Era, he now looks forward to playing purely for the joy of it.
How Jannik Sinner ended Richard Gasquet’s career
French tennis star Richard Gasquet had brief flashes of brilliance during his match against Jannik Sinner, particularly when he used his signature one-handed backhand to create three break points late in the first set. The French crowd erupted with support, but Sinner held firm and saved all three opportunities. From that point, he maintained full control of the match.
This was Gasquet’s 22nd appearance at the French Open, but he struggled to keep pace with Sinner’s aggressive and precise play. The match lasted just under two hours, with Sinner dominating most rallies and using his powerful groundstrokes to keep the veteran on the defensive.
Sinner’s win not only ended Gasquet’s campaign but also extended his own Grand Slam winning streak to 16 matches. This run makes him the first man born in 1990 or later to achieve such a streak at the majors, further proving his status among the sport’s elite.
The world number one will now face Jiri Lehecka in the third round. Sinner has won both of their previous matches. Lehecka reached this stage by defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in four sets, marking his first time in the third round at Roland Garros.
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