Rafael Nadal sent a special message to Richard Gasquet as the Frenchman retired (Image: Getty)
Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Richard Gasquet with a heartwarming message after the former No. 7 entered retirement. Gasquet ended his career on home soil with a straight-set defeat to top seed Jannik Sinner on Thursday and was honoured in an emotional on-court ceremony. Nadal also appeared in a video message prepared by French Open organisers.
The two old rivals go way back, even facing each other at childhood events. And Nadal showed his class as he shared a series of photos of himself and Gasquet over the years to mark his retirement.
“Dear @richardgasquet34… Since we were kids we have shared so many moments together on and off the court,” Nadal wrote on social media.
“Hundreds of tournaments, cities, matches… Throughout your great career your talent has been recognised worldwide and I am happy that today you were able to say goodbye to tennis in such a special place as @rolandgarros. I wish you all the best in the future!”
Nadal sent another message to the 16-time title winner as he appeared in a montage of tributes alongside Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils, among others.
In the video, he said: “Hey Richard, first of all, many congratulations on your amazing career. I can’t forget all those years we were small kids, just trying to follow our dreams.
Richard Gasquet was honoured with a special retirement ceremony (Image: Getty)
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“For me, it has been a great pleasure to be your rival, to be your friend. You have a friend here for whatever you need and I hope to be able to see each other very often again.”
Gasquet scored a win in his final-ever tournament when he beat countryman Terence Atmane in four sets on Monday, even bagelling him in front of a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd.
He also showed flashes of brilliance against Sinner, bringing out his trademark one-handed backhand and firing some winners across the court before he ultimately suffered a 6-3 6-0 6-4 defeat.
Sinner paid tribute to the retiring Frenchman on the court before the ceremony took place. “For me, it’s very difficult to talk now but congrats to your amazing career,” he told Gasquet.
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“You gave so much for this amazing crowd, for this home crowd. Congrats to your family, to your team, it’s amazing.”
Gasquet’s loved ones became emotional as tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton presented him with a trophy while a career highlight reel was played on the court.
After walking off the court, the 38-year-old said: “I couldn’t have dreamt of a better end, because, you know, you never know what could happen on your last tournament.
“It’s not always easy everywhere, every day. So to finish today on Chatrier against the No. 1 in the world, it’s a wonderful end for me. So I’m very happy with what I was able to do for this tournament.”
