On May 29, 2025, as the French Open unfolds under the Parisian sun, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and world No. 2, finds himself reflecting on a poignant moment in tennis history. As he prepares to defend his Roland Garros crown, Alcaraz paid a heartfelt tribute to French veteran Richard Gasquet, who is set to play his final career match against top seed Jannik Sinner in the second round. The 21-year-old Spaniard, fresh off a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri, spoke with admiration about Gasquet’s enduring legacy, calling one aspect of his career “crazy.” “My first ATP final was against him in 2021,” Alcaraz said, recalling their clash at the Croatia Open in Umag, where a then-18-year-old Alcaraz announced his arrival with a 6-2, 6-2 rout. “It’s crazy to think how long he’s been playing at such a high level, and now to see him in his last match here, it’s special.”
Gasquet, a 38-year-old former world No. 7, is bidding farewell to a 22-year career at his home Grand Slam, where he has competed every year since 2002. Known for his elegant single-handed backhand and graceful movement, Gasquet has been a beloved figure on the ATP Tour, amassing 16 titles and reaching the 2005 and 2007 Wimbledon semi-finals. His first-round win over compatriot Terence Atmane, a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 triumph, set up a blockbuster second-round clash with Sinner on Court Philippe-Chatrier. For Alcaraz, who grew up idolizing players like Gasquet, the Frenchman’s longevity is awe-inspiring. “He’s given so much to the sport,” Alcaraz noted, echoing Sinner’s sentiments. “It’s great to see him share the court one last time with a player like Jannik. It’s going to be emotional for everyone.”
The matchup carries added weight as Sinner, the world No. 1, returns to Grand Slam action after a three-month doping suspension, which ended just in time for his home tournament in Rome. There, Alcaraz defeated him 7-6(5), 6-1 in the Italian Open final, snapping Sinner’s 26-match win streak. Sinner, however, bounced back in Paris, cruising past Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in the first round, despite a third-set wobble where he trailed 4-0. “It doesn’t get any better,” Sinner said of facing Gasquet. “He gave so much to our sport, he gave so much to you all. I’m just happy to share the court with him.” The Italian, a three-time Grand Slam champion on hard courts, is chasing his first Roland Garros title and faces a vocal French crowd cheering for their retiring hero.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is riding a wave of confidence after a stellar clay season, with titles in Barcelona and Rome and a 15-1 record on the surface in 2025. His victory over Zeppieri showcased his trademark flair—drop shots, blistering forehands, and relentless court coverage—while his mental resilience, honed after overcoming anxiety earlier in the year, has him poised for a deep run. “I’m excited. The confidence is really high right now,” he said after the draw, which pits him against Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the first round and potentially Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Sebastian Korda in the third. Alcaraz’s path could see him face Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals, but his focus remains on the present, inspired by Gasquet’s example. “His attitude, his level of play, it’s crazy,” Alcaraz reiterated. “He’s a player you watch for years and years.”
Gasquet, often hailed as one of the finest players never to win a major, leaves behind a legacy of artistry and resilience. His 2007 French Open fourth-round run, where he fell to Andy Murray, remains a career highlight at Roland Garros. For Alcaraz and Sinner, who have dominated recent Grand Slams—splitting the 2024 majors 2-2—their respect for Gasquet reflects the sport’s generational bridge. Social media buzzed with tributes to Gasquet, with fans calling him a “tennis poet” and urging him to “go out with a bang.” As Alcaraz and Sinner continue their rivalry, which Alcaraz leads 7-4, Gasquet’s final bow serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication that define tennis. Whether he can stun Sinner and extend his farewell remains to be seen, but for Alcaraz, Gasquet’s career is a testament to what makes the sport “crazy” and unforgettable.
# Carlos Alcaraz Honors Richard Gasquet’s ‘Crazy’ Career Ahead of Frenchman’s Final French Open Clash with Jannik Sinner
On May 29, 2025, as the French Open unfolds under the Parisian sun, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion and world No. 2, finds himself reflecting on a poignant moment in tennis history. As he prepares to defend his Roland Garros crown, Alcaraz paid a heartfelt tribute to French veteran Richard Gasquet, who is set to play his final career match against top seed Jannik Sinner in the second round. The 21-year-old Spaniard, fresh off a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri, spoke with admiration about Gasquet’s enduring legacy, calling one aspect of his career “crazy.” “My first ATP final was against him in 2021,” Alcaraz said, recalling their clash at the Croatia Open in Umag, where a then-18-year-old Alcaraz announced his arrival with a 6-2, 6-2 rout. “It’s crazy to think how long he’s been playing at such a high level, and now to see him in his last match here, it’s special.”
Gasquet, a 38-year-old former world No. 7, is bidding farewell to a 22-year career at his home Grand Slam, where he has competed every year since 2002. Known for his elegant single-handed backhand and graceful movement, Gasquet has been a beloved figure on the ATP Tour, amassing 16 titles and reaching the 2005 and 2007 Wimbledon semi-finals. His first-round win over compatriot Terence Atmane, a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 triumph, set up a blockbuster second-round clash with Sinner on Court Philippe-Chatrier. For Alcaraz, who grew up idolizing players like Gasquet, the Frenchman’s longevity is awe-inspiring. “He’s given so much to the sport,” Alcaraz noted, echoing Sinner’s sentiments. “It’s great to see him share the court one last time with a player like Jannik. It’s going to be emotional for everyone.”
The matchup carries added weight as Sinner, the world No. 1, returns to Grand Slam action after a three-month doping suspension, which ended just in time for his home tournament in Rome. There, Alcaraz defeated him 7-6(5), 6-1 in the Italian Open final, snapping Sinner’s 26-match win streak. Sinner, however, bounced back in Paris, cruising past Arthur Rinderknech 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 in the first round, despite a third-set wobble where he trailed 4-0. “It doesn’t get any better,” Sinner said of facing Gasquet. “He gave so much to our sport, he gave so much to you all. I’m just happy to share the court with him.” The Italian, a three-time Grand Slam champion on hard courts, is chasing his first Roland Garros title and faces a vocal French crowd cheering for their retiring hero.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, is riding a wave of confidence after a stellar clay season, with titles in Barcelona and Rome and a 15-1 record on the surface in 2025. His victory over Zeppieri showcased his trademark flair—drop shots, blistering forehands, and relentless court coverage—while his mental resilience, honed after overcoming anxiety earlier in the year, has him poised for a deep run. “I’m excited. The confidence is really high right now,” he said after the draw, which pits him against Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the first round and potentially Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Sebastian Korda in the third. Alcaraz’s path could see him face Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals, but his focus remains on the present, inspired by Gasquet’s example. “His attitude, his level of play, it’s crazy,” Alcaraz reiterated. “He’s a player you watch for years and years.”
Gasquet, often hailed as one of the finest players never to win a major, leaves behind a legacy of artistry and resilience. His 2007 French Open fourth-round run, where he fell to Andy Murray, remains a career highlight at Roland Garros. For Alcaraz and Sinner, who have dominated recent Grand Slams—splitting the 2024 majors 2-2—their respect for Gasquet reflects the sport’s generational bridge. Social media buzzed with tributes to Gasquet, with fans calling him a “tennis poet” and urging him to “go out with a bang.” As Alcaraz and Sinner continue their rivalry, which Alcaraz leads 7-4, Gasquet’s final bow serves as a reminder of the passion and dedication that define tennis. Whether he can stun Sinner and extend his farewell remains to be seen, but for Alcaraz, Gasquet’s career is a testament to what makes the sport “crazy” and unforgettable.
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