Montpellier Bids Farewell To Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet’s fabled career will not officially conclude until Roland Garros this spring. Still, the 38-year-old Frenchman saw his legendary tenure at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier come to a close on Thursday evening. The French tennis star, a three-time champion at the tournament, was defeated in a hard-fought battle against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, falling in three sets, 6-3 3-6 7-5.

Gasquet, a staple at Montpellier for over a decade, was given an emotional send-off by the home crowd in a moving ceremony featuring his father and former French tennis star Sebastien Grosjean. A player deeply connected to the tournament, the 38-year-old holds the record for the most appearances (13), match wins (29), and titles (3, tied with Gael Monfils) at Montpellier, cementing his legacy as one of the event’s greatest competitors.

Despite his loss, Gasquet displayed his trademark elegance and resilience on the court, pushing Griekspoor to the limit. The Dutchman, who thrives on indoor hard courts and ranks second only to Jannik Sinner in indoor wins (25) since the start of 2023, had to dig deep. He saved eight of nine breakpoints, including all six he faced in the final set, to secure the victory in two hours and seven minutes.

For Gasquet, Montpellier has always been a special place. Its proximity to his hometown of Beziers made it a homecoming event, and the tournament organizers ensured that his farewell was one to remember. The former world No. 7 first won the Montpellier title in 2013 and reached six consecutive finals from 2013 to 2018, a remarkable feat that endeared him to the French fans even more. His victories here and one at the tournament’s predecessor in Lyon solidified his place in the event’s history.

The emotions were palpable as Gasquet took his final bow at Montpellier, greeted by an ovation from the French faithful. Although his retirement will be made official at Roland Garros later this year, this moment marked the end of an era at one of his most beloved tournaments.

Reflecting on his remarkable 24-year career, Gasquet expressed gratitude for the support he has received throughout the years. “Montpellier has been like home to me,” he said. “I will always cherish these moments and the love from the fans.”

Griekspoor, acknowledging the significance of the moment, praised Gasquet in his post-match interview. “Unbelievable career, achieved so much. If I can achieve a little bit of what he’s achieved in his career, I’d absolutely sign for it,” the Dutchman said.

As the curtains close on his Montpellier journey, French tennis fans eagerly await Gasquet’s final chapter at Roland Garros. The veteran will bid farewell to the sport he has graced with his artistry for over two decades.