Credited from: REUTERS
World number one Jannik Sinner sent Frenchman Richard Gasquet into retirement after a convincing 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 victory at the French Open, advancing to the third round. This match marked the end of Gasquet's career, which included 16 tour-level singles titles over two decades, and was particularly poignant as it took place at his home Grand Slam, Roland Garros, where he made his debut in 2002, just months before Sinner was born, according to Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.
Sinner's victory solidified his place as a formidable competitor, extending his winning streak to 16 consecutive matches at Grand Slam events. After defeating Gasquet, he expressed respect for his opponent, stating, "It's a very special place for me to play... Congrats on your career, you gave so much to fans," illustrating the mutual respect between the two players, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.
During the match's later stages, Gasquet showcased moments of brilliance, particularly with his signature backhand, which drew cheers from the crowd. The match concluded with an emotional atmosphere as Gasquet was celebrated for his contributions to tennis, where he ended his tournament having won the most matches by a Frenchman in the Open era with a total of 610 wins, as noted by Le Monde and Reuters.
In a heartfelt farewell, Gasquet thanked the crowd and the tennis federation, saying, "I have great memories with all of you... Tennis finishes for me today." His farewell was marked not only by respect from Sinner but also by a showing of support from his peers, including video messages from stars like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.