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 eleganceThis 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 retraining 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 thephysical 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!

On the same subject

Tags