'Mozart of tennis' Gasquet bows out in Paris

Jannik Sinner's victory over Richard Gasquet marked a significant moment.

Sinner, the world number one, won 6-3, 6-0, 6-4. This match ended Gasquet's playing career at age 38.

The terracotta courts of Roland Garros provided a fitting farewell. Gasquet first gained attention nearly 30 years ago.

Gasquet's legacy is his stunning backhand. He may not have many Slam wins, but his shot delighted fans.

In 2023, Tennis.com ranked his backhand as the fifth greatest in history. It called it possibly "the most aesthetically pleasing" one-handed backhand.

Only major winners like Federer and Wawrinka ranked higher than Gasquet.

At just 15, he was compared to Mozart by Lionel Faujare of the French Tennis Federation.

Gasquet once said, "When I stop, I'll still be able to hit backhands."

He became famous at nine when Tennis Magazine featured him on its cover. The headline read: "Richard G. Nine years old. The champion France has been waiting for?"

Living up to that title was challenging for him.

At twelve, he beat Rafael Nadal in a junior tournament. However, as a pro, he lost all 18 matches against Nadal.

He also had poor records against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Gasquet won junior titles at the French Open and US Open. At age 17, he won mixed doubles at Roland Garros with Tatiana Golovin.

He reached three Grand Slam semi-finals and won 16 ATP titles. He also helped France win the Davis Cup in 2017 and earned an Olympic bronze in doubles in London in 2012.

In March 2009, he tested positive for cocaine but was later cleared. He argued he was unknowingly contaminated after kissing a woman in Miami.

Gasquet reached seventh in world rankings and matched Federer’s record of winning matches across 24 seasons.

But it was always about the backhand for him.

Franck Ramella is Gasquet's biographer and tennis writer for L'Equipe. He believes Gasquet is content with his career choices.

Ramella noted that Gasquet never claimed to be an ultimate champion. Expectations from fans were often overwhelming for him.

France longed for a men's champion since Yannick Noah’s win in 1983 at Roland Garros. This created pressure whenever Gasquet competed.

Every loss brought disappointment but his talent remained undeniable.