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Richard Gasquet Profile |
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Birth Date: June 18, 1986
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Birth Place: Beziers, France
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Birth Name: Richard Gasquet
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Height: 6'1"
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Biography |
Richard Gasquet (born 18 June 1986) is a French tennis
player. He has reached as high as #12 in the world in both
2005 and 2006.
Gasquet was born in Béziers in the (Languedoc-Roussillon)
region. He began playing tennis at the age of 4 under the
guidance of his father, Francis, who ran a tennis club. He
appeared on the cover of French Tennis Magazine aged only 9,
and was touted as an extremely promising prospect even at
such an early age. He has been coached by ex-professional
tennis player Eric Deblicker since 2001.
He made his debut on the ATP tour in April, 2002, at the
Tennis Masters Series tournament at Monte Carlo where he
received a wild card into qualifying and became the youngest
player ever to qualify for a Tennis Masters event. At the
age of 15 years, 10 months, he defeated Argentina's Franco
Squillari in the first round of that tournament to become
the youngest player to win a tour-level main draw match
since Tommy Ho at Rye Brook in 1988.
Gasquet made his Grand Slam tournament debut at the 2002
French Open at the age of 15 years, 11 months, nine days. He
was the second-youngest player ever to compete in the main
draw there. Despite his lack of experience, he managed to
take a set off the eventual champion Albert Costa in the
first round. Gasquet finished 2002 as the no. 1 junior in
the world and was named World Junior Champion, having won
the junior titles at the French Open and the US Open. He was
also the youngest player to finish in year-end ATP top 200.
Gasquet finished 2003 as the youngest player to finish a
year inside the ATP top 100. In 2004, he reached his first
ATP tournament final at Metz, but lost to fellow countryman
Jérôme Haehnel 7-6, 6-4. He also won the mixed doubles
trophy at the French Open that year, partnering Tatiana
Golovin.
Gasquet is noted for his powerful and precise one-handed
backhand, for his flair and shot-making ability and is also
known for his speed around the court. Gasquet's one-handed
backhand features a high take back, utilising gravity, coils
up (very low to the ground), and slowly unwinds, and
unleashes one of the most beautiful and lethal shots seen
these days in tennis.
Gasquet has earned much praise for his "natural talent." One
of the accolades he has received is recognition of his
ability to play all-round complete tennis. During a Davis
cup match against Marat Safin British TV presenter Barry
Cowan described him as "naturally more talented than
Federer." Many, including Peter Fleming, have sung similar
praises upon the Frenchman. |
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Other Information |
Turned pro in 2002
Plays right-handed
Beat Roger Federer at Monte-Carlo in 2005
Is very good friends with his fellow country men and tennis
players Giles Simon and Gael Monfils
Won the 2005 mixed doubles French Open along with fellow
French player Tatiana Golovin.
Calls Zinedine Zidane his role model.
Has known Rafael Nadal since they both were 12.
As of 2005, at the age of 19 he is the highest ranked
teenager in the world with a Indesit ATP ranking of #12 in
the world. |
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