Fire-cracker Gasquet confirms defence of his Nottingham
title
This morning (10th March) organisers of the Red Letter Days
Open confirmed that Richard Gasquet, the 19 year-old defending
champion of the Red Letter Days Open, will be returning to
the City of Nottingham Tennis Centre between 19th-24th June
to defend the first ever ATP single’s title of his career.
In 2005, the player currently ranked 18th in the INDESIT
ATP entry rankings, became the third Frenchman and youngest
ever winner of the Nottingham tournament when his speed and
hard hitting ground strokes defeated Max Mirnyi (Belarus)
6-2, 6-3. In 1999, Gasquet’s countryman, Cedric Pioline
defeated Kevin Ullyett (Zimbabwe) to become the first French
winner of the East Midlands tournament. In 2000, Sebastien
Grosjean defeated B Black of Zimbabwe to also keep the Nottingham
title in French hands.
However, 2005 was Gasquet’s year and immediately after
thrilling over 3,000 tennis fans on centre court, the French
star stated his wish “to return to Nottingham’s
grass courts in 2006 to defend my first ever ATP men’s
singles title.” If the 6ft tall right hander can retain
his singles title, he will join Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden/ world
no.68) and Greg Rusedski (GBR/ world no.46) as the only players
to have twice won the coveted trophy. Such an achievement
would be a further significant milestone in a remarkable career
that saw the Bezier born player turn professional at the tender
age of fifteen. In less than four year’s he has amassed
over $1m in career prize money.
Commenting on Gasquet’s decision to defend his title,
Patrick Hughesman, tournament director said: “Richard
Gasquet is currently one of the most promising and exciting
players on the Indesit ATP circuit. The fact that he has climbed
a further 31 places in the world rankings since winning in
Nottingham last year speaks volumes for the player’s
world class credentials. Gasquet is one of a new generation
of tennis heroes whose fire-cracker pace promises to thrill
the crowds at the Red Letter Days Open in June.”
Gasquet, who won his ATP title on his 19th birthday is undeniably
a rising star of world tennis. In 2005 and in their first
ever encounter, he was one of only four players to defeat
world no.1 Roger Federer. In 2005 he also reached the fourth
round of Wimbledon (l/Nalbandian) and the US Open (l/Ginepri)
though in 2006, the 2002 World Junior Champion suffered upsets
in Doha (Qatar) and Zagreb (Croatia) by losing twice in straight
sets with the same score of 6-4, 6-4 to former British No.1
Tim Henman (GBR / world no.45). The Frenchman is currently
in the States competing in the ATP Master Series in Indian
Wells and subsequently the ATP Masters Series in Miami.
Richard Gasquet (France) (gas-KAY)
Age: 19
Indesit ATP entry ranking: 18 (at w/c 6th March)
2005: Defeated world no.1, Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-7,
6-2, 7-6 in Q/F in ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo. Lost in
semi-final.
2005: Won title in Barletta, Napoli
2004: Reached his first ATP final (Metz, lost to Haehnel)
2003: Finished year as youngest player (at 17) in year-end
top 100 (ranked 93rd).
2002: World Junior Champion and World Junior No.1
2002: Youngest player (at 16) to finish in year-end top 200.
Won two Futures titles and one Challenger crown.
Coached by Francis (father) and Eric Deblicker.
Began playing tennis at the age of four at his father’s
tennis club in Serignan.
Talent was ‘discovered’ by former ATP professional
Pierre Barthes.
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