Former world number seven Richard Gasquet shared his thoughts with journalists following the final match of his professional career. He exited the French Open in the second round, falling to Jannik Sinner with a score of 3/6, 0/6, 4/6.
Reflecting on what he loved most about his extensive time in the sport, Gasquet emphasized simply the act of playing tennis. He recalled his childhood joy playing with family and friends, and the later privilege of competing before large crowds on legendary courts like Roland Garros, the US Open, and Wimbledon against great rivals. He feels incredibly fortunate for his long tenure on the Tour and cherishes many wonderful memories.
Ending his career now feels a bit strange after playing for so long, but he acknowledges that in tennis, everyone must eventually stop. He considers himself very lucky to retire on such a grand stage, in a match against the world number one, calling it “a perfect end.”
When asked about specific best matches or memories, Gasquet found it difficult to pick just one or two. He highlighted notable moments like Grand Slam semifinals and winning the Davis Cup, stating he holds fantastic memories from his time in professional tennis. Life moves on after retirement, and the life of a professional tennis player is indeed unique.
Looking ahead, Gasquet plans to continue playing tennis purely for pleasure, just as he did as a child. His love for the game remains, and he is content with the idea of simply playing with friends, even though he is no longer a professional. He expressed gratitude for his good health at nearly 39 years old and confirmed he will definitely keep playing.
Gasquet admitted he feels a certain strangeness, not having fully processed the end of his career. However, he is happy to finish at almost 39, feeling he couldn`t have asked for more, especially playing his final match on Court Philippe Chatrier against the world number one. He is pleased with his performance at the tournament. The biggest adjustment will be the absence of stress, recovery routines, training, and anticipating the next season, like the grass court swing.
Despite this, he feels very calm about his decision to retire. He is happy to have finished on that court, in good weather, against the top player, with a full stadium. He`s grateful he finished without being completely physically broken, although he admits to still feeling aches and exhaustion. He looks forward to pursuing other interests and is content that he isn`t suffering health-wise upon retirement, unlike some players. He is pleased to have played for so many years, won matches, and reached the second round at Roland Garros.
He felt it was important not to end his career on a disappointing note, referencing solid performances in his last few events like Monte Carlo and here. He believes he managed the end of his career very well. While he`s happy to have participated in many tournaments, he recognized it was time to stop, citing a drop in ranking and injuries this season. Knowing the right moment to retire is never easy, but finishing on that court, today, in good weather, felt wonderful.
