As he prepares to shoot  the last page of his career , Richard Gasquet,  French tennis legend , confided in Padel Magazine when Head Padel Paris Tennis a few days before his  last Roland-Garros Between  emotion ,  Ongoing  et  budding passion for padel , the former world number 7 gives a testimony  sincere ,  humble  et  lucid .

 A final Roland-Garros under the sign of emotion 

«  It feels weird  ", Richard Gasquet immediately admits, evoking what will be his  final participation  at the Roland-Garros tournament. For the Béziers native, this moment is definitely  charged with emotions  :

"To think that there won't be any more tournaments after that... It's a career, it's true that it's special."

Among memories of his beginnings on the  Parisian clay  and a desire to finish well, Gasquet seems to navigate between gratitude for what tennis has given him and acceptance of the passing of time.

"I'm going to try to enjoy myself, to be the best I can be on the court. And to leave a good impression on these last few months."

La  beautiful picture , it is definitively acquired and fixed in the memory of the  hexagonal tennis . "Richie" will be forever  the symbol of elegance this  one-handed backhand  become legendary and a  rare longevity  on the ATP tour. Not to mention the results: Richard won  16 ATP titles  in singles and exceeded the  600 career victories . He reached  three semi-finals in Grand Chelem  (Wimbledon 2007 and 2015, US Open 2013) and was  7th in the world  in 2007. It also has a  Olympic bronze medal  (double, London 2012), a  mixed doubles title at Roland Garros  (2004) and a  Davis Cup victory  with France (2017).

Richard GASQUET one-handed backhand

 And after? Tennis again and again 

As we turn the page, questions about  post-career  are not lacking. Gasquet, still focused on his last  Roland  and on his  final deadlines , has not yet decided. But one thing is clear: it will remain in  the world of tennis .

"I'm definitely interested in working with the Federation, with Gilles Moretton. […] French tennis is important to me."

If he wants to take a little  retreat  For the first time in a long time, the ex-Blue affirms that he will return sooner or later, driven by the will  to help the new generation .

"I'm going to try to finish my career well. After that, we'll see. I'm going to rest a little. […] But of course, tennis will remain my passion."

 Gasquet's take on padel: a fun and promising sport 

Asked by Padel Magazine on his feelings towards the  paddle , Richard Gasquet does not hide his  enthusiasm .

“Padel is already very fun. […] You quickly start to enjoy yourself. And that’s the great strength of padel.”

The tennis player underlines the dimension  friendly  et  accessible  of discipline. In his eyes, padel allows  beginners  to enjoy yourself more quickly than tennis, which is renowned  more technically demanding  at the beginning.

“You play with friends, you don’t have to pick up the balls. […] It’s a fabulous sport.”

 Padel? For fun… 

If he likes padel and practices it in  leisure , Richard Gasquet dismisses any idea of     in discipline.

"Retraining, no. Having fun with friends, of course. Padel is a serious sport now."

He mentions in particular the  high level Spanish , in place for a long time, and the physical and mental demands  now essential to join the professional circuit.

"I was able to see a bit of the high level at Roland-Garros last year. […] Afterwards, of course, having fun with friends, I'm going to do that."

 A legend that fades away... but does not disappear 

Richard Gasquet  leave the stage  of Roland-Garros, but he does not leave either  tennis , neither  hearts . Her  passion  remains intact. Its  desire to transmit , too. Let him choose the Federation, a role with the  jeunes , or simply to enjoy a little bit of  freedom regained ,  footprint  in the French tennis landscape is  indelible .

And who knows, maybe we'll see him again soon on a pitch...  paddle ,  racket in hand ,  smile , with his friends?! With  elegance , of course!

Maceo ZERHAT

Maceo Zerhat discovered padel in 2020 in Savigny-sur-Clairis, Burgundy. He contributed to the club's expansion by bringing his energy and curiosity. Padel Magazinehe transmits his Padel"mania" by skillfully bouncing on all the latest news about your favorite sport!

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