Retiring tennis star explains why he’s retiring despite ‘not feeling ready’ | Tennis | Sport

Richard Gasquet explained why he decides to retire even though he “doesn’t feel ready.”

Earlier this month, the former world number seven announced he would retire at the 2025 French Open.

But the farewell ceremony for the famous Frenchman, who played his last match at the Paris Masters tournament on Tuesday, has already begun.

Gasquet’s retirement announcement was largely overshadowed as he shared the news on the same day Rafael Nadal confirmed he would be saying goodbye at next month’s Davis Cup final.

But the reality of his decision is starting to sink in after he played his first tournament since officially announcing his retirement plans. Gasquet received a wild card into the Paris Masters but fell at the first hurdle, losing 6-3 6-4 to lucky underdog Zizou Bergs.

After this, a ceremony was held on the court to honor the 16-time title winner. He burst into tears during the presentation and later admitted that he was retiring for only one reason.

“No, I give 100 percent of everything I have,” Gasquet said when asked if he would continue to play and train before retiring at the French Open.

“I prepared so much for Bercy. I told myself that I would give 100 percent of what I have, but at this tournament the level was not that good. If I’m in this ranking now, it’s not for some reason. I ended up being one of 130 worldwide. That’s why I stop. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have retired now.”

Although Gasquet’s ranking is not where he would like, the 38-year-old believes he can physically continue playing until he hangs up his racket for his home Grand Slam.

He added: “I’m lucky that I’m fit, I’m playing well and I can claim to win some matches. I try not to get hurt and enjoy it as much as possible. I will try to hold out until the French Open.”

But his position as world number 133 will make it difficult to continue on the main tour and Gasquet will now rely on wildcards. The Frenchman has already named the tournaments in which he wants to take part for the last time.

“Montpellier, Marseille, I would like to play one last time because they are dear to my heart,” he explained.

“Monaco too. I would like to play the qualifiers in Monaco. There are several contenders in France as well. And Roland Garros. Try to have a good season. There are beautiful tournaments ahead of us.”

However, it will be difficult for Gasquet to survive the retirement ceremony, if Tuesday’s experience is anything to go by. When asked how he felt watching the old clips and giving the speech, he replied: “Well, I didn’t feel ready.

“You know, this was the first time. You always have first and last. This time it was the first time for me.

“When you play for the first time, for the first time you play at Roland Garros and Bercy, it’s incredible. And today was my first time with a microphone, and it felt like the first time. This was actually the first time.

“Indeed, this motivated me to finish this tournament this way, but I still have a few opportunities ahead. Next year I will be 39 in Paris. I couldn’t ask for more.”