Richard Gasquet says what he ‘never thought’ he would do ahead of his retirement at the French Open

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Richard Gasquet will call time on his glittering tennis career after the French Open, which gets underway on Sunday.

Gasquet starts his final French Open and final tennis tournament on Monday, where he meets Terence Atmane.

The veteran takes on his fellow Frenchman on home soil in round one, having reached the quarter-finals back in 2016.

Gasquet thinks it is the right moment to retire, which he will do as a former world number seven, a rank he reached in 2007.

More importantly, however, the 38-year-old has 16 ATP Tour titles to his name, and is set for a fitting farewell at the French Open.

Richard Gasquet makes career admission ahead of retirement at the French Open

And he has been sharing his honest thoughts on the entire situation before his opening match, saying: “It’s my last tournament, so it’s a bit emotional.

“But I try my best of course when I’m going on the court to try to win, so we will see what will happen. It’s special, but I’m happy to do this, I’m happy to play here one last time.

READ MORE: Richard Gasquet says France have two really talented youngsters coming through who can win big ATP tournaments soon

“I’m practically 39 years old. I never thought I was going to be playing such a long time. I’m lucky enough to be able to do it here one last time.

“I know what that represents, to play in a tournament like this. I’m going to try to enjoy it from beginning to end and give my all. It’s sport. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Richard Gasquet shares one piece of advice before retiring from tennis

Gasquet has enjoyed a phenomenal career, which also includes over 600 wins across clay, grass and hard courts.

The veteran has, however, only managed to play seven matches in 2025 so far, winning three and losing four.

READ MORE: Richard Gasquet picks the toughest opponent he ever faced during his tennis career, ‘it was crazy’

And that has played a key role in the Frenchman dropping to 166th place in the world rankings going into the French Open.

Gasquet is, however, hugely grateful for his career, and has now shared solid advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps at Roland Garros.

“Enjoy yourself as much as possible,” he said. “It’s such a trite thing to say but you’ve got to give your best, you’ve got to interact with the public, you have to feel that the public is behind you, is encouraging you.

“To be as expansive as possible and to give it all. Feel how lucky you are just to play in Roland-Garros, even if it’s hard to go out on the court the first time.

“It’s going to be a moment that’s going to change the rest of your life, but it’s incredible because you’ll always remember it, the first time you played there.”