Gasquet proud of longevity: “I started with Agassi and I’m finishing with Alcaraz. 40 years”
The 38-year-old, who is due to retire after the French Open, bowed out of the Monte-Carlo Masters in the second round on Wednesday
Richard Gasquet
Richard Gasquet said he was proud of his longevity in the sport after his last ever Monte-Carlo Masters ended in a second-round loss to Daniel Altmaier of Germany.
The Frenchman rued missed break point opportunities in the first set when he was up a break and though he fought brilliantly to force a decider from 5-3 down in the second, he had nothing left in the third.
But 23 years after his Monte-Carlo debut as a 15-year-old, the 38-year-old said he was proud of the longevity of a career which will come to an end after next month’s Roland-Garros.
“When you see the images of me when I was young, you realise that there are not many players who started so early and lasted so long,” Gasquet told reporters in Monte-Carlo. “You see sometimes a young player at 15 years old and ending his career at 39 years old, there are not that many of them.
“So there is respect from other players and also from the younger players. They say congratulations for your career. The younger ones belong to another generation. It’s funny when I see the players that are 19, 20 years old, and I’m 39. It’s an enormous difference.
“I have seen many generations. I started with (Andre) Agassi, and I’m finishing with (Carlos) Alcaraz. 40 years. It’s huge. Not many players had this opportunity.”
Gasquet playing as much as possible before Paris
The former world No 7 said he will try to play as many tournaments as possible before his final outing.
“Aix, Bordeaux, for sure,” he said, of his next commitments. “I will see if I can qualify for Madrid and Rome, but I like to play tournaments in France. So if I can play those tournaments, I’ll go. Otherwise I’ll be at the French Open.”
