Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Richard Gasquet played the final match of his professional tennis career at the French Open on Thursday, May 29 World No. 1 player Jannik Sinner defeated Gasquet at Roland-Garros in straight sets Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcarez paid tribute to Gasquet's career while his family wore "Thank you Richie" T-shirts during the match Richard Gasquet is looking back on his career as he hangs up his cleats — and receiving his flowers from fellow tennis stars. Gasquet, 38, played his final match on Thursday, May 29 at the French Open, commonly referred to as Roland-Garros, afterannouncing his retirementfrom the sport in October 2024. World No. 1Jannik Sinnerof Italy defeated the French tennis star in straight sets to advance to the third round. According toBBC, Gasquet's family wore matching "Thank you Richie" T-shirts at the match and a tribute to Gasquet's career was shown on Court Philippe Chatrier before the next round began. After the match, Sinner, 23, told Gasquet, "Congrats for everything you have done, an amazing career but most importantly an amazing person." Roland-Garros produced a thoughtfulvideo tributewith messages from Gasquet's fellow tennis stars to celebrate his next chapter. Sinner,Rafael Nadal,Carlos AlcarazandNovak Djokovicare just a handful of the athletes that recorded messages for Gasquet. ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty After the loss, Gasquet reflected on the end of his career and the tribute video. "Of course I also want to thank the extraordinary opponents I had, it's true that it makes me happy, and my friends too, I see Novak. I heard Rafa at the beginning of the tribute. I also want to thank him for the words he had, "he said, perWe Love Tennis. Gasquet shared that he was "at home" with his mother when he saw the tribute video. "And it's true that I didn't expect that, and it gave me a lot of emotions," he said. "I would also like to thank Jo-Wilfried [Tsonga], Gaël [Monfils], Gilles [Simon], my generation, the musketeers, as we were often called, I know that we will find ourselves outside, we forged incredible memories, it was a magnificent era," he continued. "With Rafa, Roger, everything we saw, of course, there were four days that obviously hurt us very, very much, but it was also magnificent to be able to play with them, to be able to count them as friends, and it's true that I've known Rafa forever, and he's someone I adore, and I know that in any case I will take away magnificent memories thanks to these players, and thanks to this public, so thank you very much to everyone," the now-retired player said. In his tribute message to Gasquet, Nadal, 38, said, "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. 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," the player added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) Djokovic, 38, said, "Everybody talks about the talent you possess, and it's a truly unique, one-handed backhand that I'm sure a lot of the young players are trying to copy in France and worldwide. You've always carried yourself with a lot of respect, with a lot of humility. And I think thats something that all of us in the locker room really appreciate and respect about you the most." Alcaraz, 22, thanked Gasquet for "inspiring a lot of young generations" in the tribute video. "The first time that I came to Roland-Garros, it was just to watch your match," Alcaraz shared, adding, "All the best in your new chapter." And Sinner, who defeated Gasquet in his final match, called Gasquet a "legend of our sport" in the tribute. "I was very privileged and honored to share the court with you," he added. Read the original article onPeople
