Just over a month ago, Richard Gasquet played his final career match at the Paris Rolex Masters, where he was defeated by Zizou Bergs. During a press conference, Gasquet reflected on his legendary rival, Rafael Nadal, who is set to retire at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

Gasquet’s Admiration for Nadal’s Roland Garros Feats

When asked about what makes Nadal so special, Gasquet responded with awe:

“What’s so special about him? I would answer: look at him! You look at a photo, you see everything immediately. 14 times Roland Garros. Even if you tried to imagine the number, even if it’s science fiction, you would never say he did it. When you said that, you said it all.”

Gasquet emphasized the incredible challenge of Nadal’s achievement:

“14 times he won Roland Garros. Need more? Playing a tournament so many times is not easy; winning it is not even worth talking about. Simply incredible. It was crazy — the intensity, the game, the physicality. How did he do it? We saw what level of game he had.”

A Career Regret: Never Beating Rafael Nadal

Richard Gasquet, who plans to retire after the 2025 French Open, recently shared his regrets in an interview on the Super Moscato Show of RMC. His biggest regret? Never defeating Rafael Nadal in their professional careers.

Gasquet candidly stated:

“I lost 18 times against him. It’s horrible. I won’t sell you a false deception by telling you that it’s a pleasure. For me, it’s a huge regret not to have beaten him. Now he’s gone, so I won’t beat him again.”

The Frenchman recounted their early years:

“I’ve known him since I was young, and I wasn’t particularly afraid. I beat him when I was 13. I thought I could beat him in Monaco in 2005, losing 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. After that, I struggled; he improved, there’s no doubt about it. It became difficult.”

The inability to secure a victory against Nadal stings for Gasquet:

“When you’re an athlete and you’ve never beaten an opponent, it hurts.”

Gasquet vs Nadal: A One-Sided Rivalry

Richard Gasquet faced Rafael Nadal 18 times in official matches, losing every single encounter. Despite the lopsided record, Gasquet’s admiration for Nadal’s greatness remains evident.

Looking Ahead: Gasquet’s Final Chapter

As Gasquet looks ahead to his final tournaments leading up to the 2025 French Open, his career has been marked by consistency, elegance, and a fighting spirit — even when up against legends like Rafael Nadal.