On Monday, May 26, Richard Gasquet took to the court at Roland Garros with the possibility that it might be his final professional match. But the 38-year-old French veteran wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. In a hard-fought victory over fellow Frenchman Arthur Fils Atmane, Gasquet proved that he still had something left to give — and perhaps one last moment to savor.
Victory in All-French Duel
“When you play another Frenchman here, it’s always strange,” Gasquet said after the match. “The crowd reacts differently, and it’s a unique kind of pressure. He had a physical dip in the second set, and that helped me push through. I’m proud I was able to fight. At times, especially in the second set, he was better, but I found a way to respond in the third.”
It wasn’t just the win that mattered to Gasquet — it was what the victory meant. “There was a moment where I thought this could be the end,” he admitted. “That’s a strange feeling, but I won, and that means everything right now.”
A Quiet Stadium, But Familiar Faces
The match wasn’t played in front of a packed crowd, and conditions were less than ideal.
“It was cold out there,” Gasquet said. “And when you’re facing another Frenchman, it’s never simple — the atmosphere is different, and the match felt a bit up and down. Still, my family and friends were there in the cold, and I could see familiar faces in the presidential stands. That lifted my spirits.”
A Potential Showdown with Sinner
With the win, Gasquet may now face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the second round — something the veteran sees as a gift, not a burden.
“Of course I’d prefer to play another Frenchman, but if I get to play the world No. 1, it would be incredible,” he said. “At this stage of my career, to play Sinner on Philippe Chatrier or any big court would be a dream. If that’s my last match, I can’t think of a better way to go out.”
Still a Tennis Player, for Now
Gasquet has battled through injury in recent months, including two calf tears. He wasn’t even sure he could play in Paris.
“I didn’t know if I could be here, and I hadn’t played in a month,” he said. “With the cold, I expected it to be tough. But I’m still standing, and tonight I go to bed knowing I’m still a tennis player. That’s a beautiful feeling.”
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