By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday April 6, 2025
23 years after his debut, Richard Gasquet kicked off his ultimate Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters look with an emotional victory.
The 38-year-old wild card took out Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 4-6 6-4 on the fabled Courtroom Central, setting a second-round conflict with both Felix Auger-Aliassime or Daniel Altmaier.
“The gang was there,” Gasquet stated of the help he obtained from adoring followers on Sunday. “It was an exquisite second. The distinction was that I performed nicely on the proper second, and I used to be in a position to not be damaged to start with of the third set. That was an vital second. He was beginning to play higher than I used to be, and I used to be feeling a bit drained, however I used to be capable of serve nicely, play nicely, and on the finish of the match, he grew to become a bit tense.
“I did good backhands alongside the strains, stunning pictures, and this was good for me. It jogged my memory some pictures I had performed on this heart court docket earlier than – I used to be completely satisfied to extend a bit of bit my profession.”
Gasquet defeated then World No.1 Roger Federer 20 years in the past in Monte-Carlo. It’s his solely victory over a reigning World No.1.
The previous World No.7 reached the semifinals that 12 months.
Gasquet, presently ranked 148, will end his profession at Roland-Garros later this spring.
“These are fabulous moments,” he stated. “The court docket was full. The gang was there. It is very robust moments. It is one of many main tournaments on the planet. It is a Sunday. You need to play nicely, and I used to be capable of do it.
“This is the reason I am so completely satisfied, and now I really feel I can keep within the event a bit extra, so this is essential for me. Actually completely satisfied that I gained towards a younger participant who has an exquisite future forward of him.”
