Retiring Gasquet hoping for one last hurrah in his last Monte-Carlo Masters
The Frenchman, who plans to retire after Roland-Garros, won his first ATP match there as a 15-year-old in 2002 and famously beat Roger Federer in Monaco in 2005
Chryslene Caillaud / Psnewz
Twenty-three years ago, a fresh-faced, 15-year-old Richard Gasquet qualified for the main draw of the Monte-Carlo Masters and then beat Franco Squillari of Argentina in the first round, the beginning of a love affair between the Frenchman and the Monaco crowd.
Three years later, in 2005, the then 18-year-old Gasquet stunned world No 1 Roger Federer to reach the semi-finals, with only King of Clay Rafael Nadal denying him a spot in the final.
Since then, there have been many good performances in Monaco, but on Sunday, the 38-year-old will begin his last ever Monte-Carlo Masters, two months before he hangs up his racquets for good after one last Roland-Garros.
Sitting in a makeshift tented area in the Monte-Carlo Country Club on Saturday, Gasquet told a small group of reporters that he was still hoping for one more good showing, having been given a wildcard into the main draw for what will be his 12th outing in Monaco.
“I’m just just very happy, you know, very proud, to get the wildcard,” he said. “The organisation gave me one, and it’s really nice to play another time in on this court with with a sea view. It will be nice weather tomorrow. I’m playing at 1pm so it will be a great match for me.
“I’m really happy to be here. Of course, I want to win. Little bit of pressure, maybe, the last time I’m playing here but I just want to enjoy it and try my best.”
Federer, Nadal matches still in the memory
It’s asking a lot for Gasquet to reprise his efforts of old, but he will have the crowd on his side on Sunday, even if he is playing a close neighbour in Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Not surprisingly, though, his 2005 run to the semis remains his greatest Monte-Carlo memory.
“Everybody knows for sure it would be with Federer,” he said. “The day after, with Nadal, was my best placement here in Monte Carlo. And I was able to play some great matches. But this one, these two would be the best ones.”
