Richard Gasquet

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Gasquet BOR22 (52084213479)

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Bronze medal

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Gasquet wim07b

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Richard Gasquet Oz08 closeup

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Richard Gasquet at the 2009 US Open 02

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Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet (French pronunciation: ​[ʁiʃaʁ ɡaskɛ]; born 18 June 1986) is a French professional tennis player. He has won a total of 15 ATP singles titles in his career and achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 7 in July 2007. Gasquet is best known for his elegant groundstrokes and one-handed backhand.

Early Life

Richard Gasquet was born in Béziers, France, and began playing tennis at the age of four under the guidance of his father, who was a tennis coach. His talent was evident early on, and he was heralded as a prodigious talent in his youth, being featured on the cover of French Tennis Magazine at the age of nine.

Career

Gasquet turned professional in 2002 and quickly made a name for himself on the ATP Tour. He won his first ATP title in 2005 at the Nottingham Open, which marked the beginning of his rise in the professional ranks. Over the years, Gasquet has been known for his performances in Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the semifinals of the Wimbledon Championships in 2007 and the US Open in 2013. Despite his talent, injuries and consistency issues have sometimes hampered his progress.

Gasquet's playing style is characterized by his strong groundstrokes and his signature shot, the one-handed backhand, which is considered one of the best in the game. He is also known for his all-court game and his ability to play well on all surfaces, although his greatest successes have come on clay and hard courts.

Personal Life

Richard Gasquet has kept his personal life relatively private. He is known to have a passion for piano and classical music, which he has played since childhood.

Controversy

In 2009, Gasquet was temporarily suspended from the ATP Tour after testing positive for cocaine. He claimed that the substance entered his system after kissing a woman who had consumed cocaine at a nightclub. The International Tennis Federation accepted his explanation, and he was cleared of any wrongdoing, allowing him to resume his tennis career.

Achievements

Throughout his career, Gasquet has achieved notable victories over top players and has been a consistent presence in the ATP top 50. His ability to compete at the highest level, combined with his elegant style of play, has made him a favorite among tennis fans.