On a memorable Sunday, April 6, 2025, Richard Gasquet made an emotional return to the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, marking the beginning of his final campaign with a dramatic victory.
The 38-year-old veteran, competing as a wild card, impressively overcame Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in a thrilling three-set match, concluding with scores of 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 on the renowned Court Central. His victory sets him up for a second-round encounter with either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Daniel Altmaier.
“The crowd was incredible,” Gasquet commented, reflecting on the overwhelming support from his fans. “It was a beautiful moment. The key difference came from managing to play well at crucial points, especially by holding my serve at the start of the third set. Arnaldi started picking up his game, and while I felt a bit drained, I managed to maintain my serve and composure. Towards the end, he got a bit tense.”
Gasquet delivered a series of stunning backhands, reminiscent of his earlier performances on this iconic court. “Executing those shots felt great, bringing back some cherished memories from previous matches,” he added.
Interestingly, it was 20 years ago on this very court that Gasquet famously defeated then World No.1 Roger Federer. It remains the only victory he secured against a reigning world top seed, and it propelled him to the semifinals that year. As he stands ranked 148, Gasquet plans to conclude his career with a final appearance at Roland-Garros later this spring.
“These are amazing moments,” he shared with evident emotion. “Playing in front of a full house at such a prestigious event on a Sunday is something every player cherishes. Winning against a promising young talent makes this victory even sweeter. I’m thrilled to have a chance to extend my stay in the tournament. It’s incredibly meaningful to me.”
