It was the end of an era for French tennis as Richard Gasquet played the final match of his professional career at Roland Garros. The 38-year-old was defeated by world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets—6-3, 6-0, 6-4—on the clay courts of Paris, where his career first captured national attention nearly 30 years ago.
Sinner’s dominant performance marked a new chapter for the Italian star, while closing the book on Gasquet’s long and elegant career. Known for his graceful one-handed backhand, Gasquet leaves behind a legacy not defined by Grand Slam titles, but by the artistry and joy he brought to the sport—especially to French fans.
In 2023, Tennis.com ranked Gasquet’s backhand as the fifth greatest single-hander of the Open era, calling it perhaps “the most aesthetically pleasing one-handed backhand drive” of its time. Only major champions Roger Federer, Justine Henin, Ken Rosewall, and Stan Wawrinka were rated higher.
Gasquet’s career began with great expectations. At just nine years old, Tennis Magazine featured him on its cover with the headline: “Richard G. Nine years old. The champion France has been waiting for?” By age 15, he was being compared to Mozart by the French Tennis Federation president.
Though he never won a Grand Slam title, Gasquet achieved plenty. He claimed 16 ATP titles, reached three Grand Slam semi-finals—including two at Wimbledon—and won a Davis Cup with France in 2017. He also took home an Olympic bronze medal in doubles at London 2012 and was once ranked as high as world number seven.
As a junior, he won the French Open and US Open singles titles, and at 17, he won the French Open mixed doubles with Tatiana Golovin.
Despite the early promise, living up to the hype proved difficult. Gasquet had losing records against the sport’s giants: 0-18 against Rafael Nadal, 2-19 against Roger Federer, and 1-13 against Novak Djokovic. Yet he remained a consistent presence at the top level, matching Federer’s record of winning matches in 24 straight ATP seasons.
In 2009, his career faced controversy after he tested positive for cocaine. He was provisionally banned but later cleared after successfully arguing he had unknowingly ingested the substance after kissing a woman, known as Pamela, in a Miami nightclub.
Even with these ups and downs, Gasquet’s love for the game—and especially for his backhand—never faded. “When I stop, even after 10 years, I’ll still be able to hit backhands,” he said in April.
What They Said
Franck Ramella, Gasquet’s biographer and a writer for L’Équipe, reflected on his career:
“I think he is happy with his career. He never wanted or claimed to be the ultimate champion. What was difficult for him were the expectations. France believed in him. Every time he lost or didn’t reach a final, there was disappointment—but he was incredibly good.”
As Gasquet exits the court for the final time, it is his beautiful backhand that will live on in tennis memory.
Related topics:
