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Rafael Nadal pens tribute to retiring Richard Gasquet, his childhood rival

'Since we were kids, we have shared so many moments together," Nadal began in salute.

ByBaseline Staff

Published May 29, 2025

"It's your moment": Sinner tributes Gasquet following final match of his career

Thursday at Roland Garros saw more than a few folks pay tribute to Richard Gasquet after the 38-year-old Frenchman played the last match of his professional tennis career against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, falling in straight sets on Court Philippe-Chatrier in the second round.

One of them? Rafael Nadal. Gasquet and Nadal famously were childhood rivals, first playing in a "high-profile" tournament at the prestigious Les Petit As junior tournament when they were 12 in 1999. Their pro-level rivalry, though, was dominated by Nadal, who won all 18 of their ATP matches. But that didn't stop the Spaniard from giving the former world No. 7 well-deserved kudos, just days after he received his own emotional Roland Garros send-off.

Read more: Arthur Fils has his Warrior Moment; Au revoir, Richard Gasquet | Roland Garros Wrap, Day 5

"Since we were kids we have shared so many moments together on and off the court. Hundreds of tournaments, cities, matches," Nadal wrote on Instagram, alongside photos of the pair through the years.

"Throughout your great career, your talent has been recognized worldwide and I am happy that today you were able to say goodbye to tennis in such a special place as Roland Garros. I wish you all the best in the future!"

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Gasquet agreed with Nadal's assessment, saying that ending his career against the world's best player on Paris' center stage was "the perfect end" for him. He played his home major 22 times since debuting in 2022, and scored the 609th, and last, match win of his career against fellow Frenchman Terence Atmane in the first round.

"I couldn't dream more to play on this court, Chatrier, against the No. 1 in the world [for his last match]," he said. "Of course, I would like to win, but it's not easy to win for me now against Sinner. He's No. 1 in the world.

"But to finish there, I would sign when I start the tournament to finish on a packed court, on a packed Chatrier with the French crowd. It was full. Yeah, it's perfect for me."