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 assist he acquired from adoring followers on Sunday. “It was an attractive second. The distinction was that I performed properly on the proper second, and I used to be in a position to not be damaged at first of the third set. That was an essential 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 properly, play properly, and on the finish of the match, he turned a bit tense.
“I did good backhands alongside the strains, lovely pictures, and this was good for me. It jogged my memory some pictures I had performed on this middle courtroom earlier than – I used to be glad to lengthen just a little 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 yr.
Gasquet, at present ranked 148, will end his profession at Roland-Garros later this spring.
“These are fabulous moments,” he stated. “The courtroom was full. The gang was there. It’s totally robust moments. It is one of many main tournaments on the earth. It is a Sunday. You need to play properly, and I used to be capable of do it.
“This is the reason I am so glad, and now I really feel I can keep within the event a bit extra, so this is essential for me. Actually glad that I gained towards a younger participant who has an attractive future forward of him.”
