Sinner Sends France's Beloved, Melancholic Retiree Packing
French Tennis Legend Richard Gasquet Bows Out at French Open
After a 24-year career marked by grace and skill, French tennis player Richard Gasquet, aged 38, was eliminated in the second round of the French Open on Sunday. The veteran star, renowned for his elegant one-handed backhand, succumbed to Italy's Jannik Sinner in straight sets, ending his journey in the premier clay court championship on a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 loss.
Gasquet's departure marked the end of an era at Roland Garros, following former champion Stanislas Wawrinka's exit in the first round earlier in the week. The French crowd, who welcomed Gasquet warmly, were hoping for an upset but were left feeling melancholic as the Parisian's chances seemed remote.
Sinner, the current world No. 1, hailing from South Tyrol, demonstrated no signs of weakness on Court Philippe Chatrier. The Italian, who could face Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, will next face Czech Jiri Lehecka after he triumphed over No. 26 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Tributes poured in for Gasquet on the big Paris court, with an emotional ceremony honoring his remarkable career. The former world No. 7, who has won 16 ATP titles and secured the record for the most tour-level wins by a Frenchman in the Open Era, received a trophy containing a piece of famous Roland Garros clay as a fitting farewell gift.
Gasquet's elegant style and series of significant accomplishments have made him a beloved figure in the tennis world. Despite facing stiff competition from tennis greats Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, who thwarted Gasquet's ambitions for bigger titles, he ensconced his name in French tennis history.
With his retirement in 2025, Gasquet stepped away from a career filled with skill, determination, and enduring admiration from his peers and fans worldwide. Though he may have fallen short of the heights scaled by his contemporaries, Gasquet's dedication to the game, lasting presence at the ATP level, and record-setting number of wins for France left an indelible mark on tennis history.
Sports enthusiasts mourned the end of an iconic era in tennis as French legend Richard Gasquet, known for his exceptional skills on the court, bid farewell to the French Open after his second-round exit, losing to Jannik Sinner in the French Open. This setback signaled the departure from active competition in a sport that Gasquet, a renowned tennis player from France, had graced with his one-handed backhand for over two decades.
