ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2025

Richard Gasquet

Press Conference

R. GASQUET/T. Atmane

6-2, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. First of all, your impressions about the match. It was a strange match. A bit here and there, but you did what you had to do to tire him physically.

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, well, when you play against a Frenchman, it's always weird, because the public, it's a bit strange for them, and it's the first time he's in this kind of match. It was not easy for him.

He had a physical down in the second and it went on in the third set, but I was happy that I was able to hold and to feel that tonight I'm not over. I still have some gumption.

Q. When you were one set all, did you think of that?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, in the second set I suffered a bit. He was playing better than me. It was difficult. I was suffering.

I managed to play better the beginning of the third set to break him and to put him back under pressure. But it's obviously difficult to feel it might be last match.

During the match, it might feel weird. I felt weird at some times, but I managed to win the match and that's really pleasant.

Q. I found that the handshake was not very warm.

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, he hurt himself. It's not easy. I hope it's not serious. You know, when you hurt yourself, it's difficult. The main thing is for him to feel better later on, and that's the most important thing.

Q. There was not so much of a public. Did you expect more people? Did you expect a full crowd? The presidential tribune was full and your box.

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, it was difficult. It was cold. I was cold on the court, and when you play against a Frenchman, it's not easy.

The match was a bit here and there, and it was not easy. For me, it's a good thing. I can come back, but it was cold today. So it wasn't easy.

But my friends and family were there. The presidential tribune was there. I managed to see a few players, and I was happy with that.

Q. What should we wish you for, to continue a match against the World No. 1 or another match against a Frenchman? Maybe more accessible on paper?

RICHARD GASQUET: I will answer Frenchman. Obviously I can't say anything else. To me, it's important for a Frenchman to win.

But obviously if I can play the World No. 1 on Thursday, it would be a fabulous thing. It would be a beautiful draw for me. I managed to win this match today. I might end up playing him. At the end of your career for your last match, you couldn't dream better than playing the World No. 1.

Q. Are you going to watch the match?

RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. Well, I know both of them very well, but I was happy to win, to be able to come back, and I'll be happy to play against Arthur, because it would mean he won. But if I manage to play against Jannik, it would be a beautiful draw.

Q. Jo had a successful good-bye here and Gilles in Bercy. It must be difficult to succeed in your good-byes, saying goodbye.

RICHARD GASQUET: You know, it's always difficult. In the Davis Cup, for example, you don't choose a draw. I managed to win today. I managed it. And maybe on Thursday I'll have to play a huge match, but we don't know.

Obviously if I play against Sinner, he won't be the easiest one to beat, but it's a beautiful draw and it would be a pleasure. It will be a pleasure to come back maybe on Philippe Chatrier or elsewhere, but it will be a beautiful draw for me.

But it is always difficult to finish well. In Monaco it went well. This is one step more. I managed to win today, and that was important.

Q. You weren't feeling that well before the tournament. How did you feel today on the court? Do you feel 100%?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I tore my calf twice, so I had a difficult month. I didn't know whether I could play. But today it didn't hurt.

Obviously when you stop playing for a month, it's not easy to play well as of the first match. As I said, it was cold and it was not easy, but I managed to do it, and it's a pleasure to feel that I'm still a tennis player today. I will still be a tennis player tomorrow morning, and it might not have been the case.

Q. Are you a little bit thinking like this is the last time or this might be the last time, or do you already feel nostalgic or not?

RICHARD GASQUET: Well, Montpellier, Monaco, they are the only tournaments I played during the season. I was ready for them. For the other tournaments I was hurt, I was injured, but when you come here and you get to the court, it's a bit special obviously.

But I do feel relieved tonight when I think that I will be back on the court, and it's obviously a pleasing feeling.