Open South of France. “I don’t deserve to be higher than 130th”: Richard Gasquet breaks down from the start against a qualifier

Richard Gasquet n'a pas trouvé la faille contre l'Espagnol. MIDI LIBRE – Alexandre Dimou

The Biterrois Richard Gasquet lost in the first round of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, against the Spanish qualifier Pablo Llamas Ruiz (7-6 [6], 7-5).

Like last year, Richard Gasquet will not see the second round at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier. The Biterrois (37 years old) lost in two sets to Pablo Llamas Ruiz (156th in the world) 7-6 [6], 7-5. The 21-year-old Spaniard, qualified, wins his second victory on the ATP circuit.

"I lead at the start, I lead in the tie-break, I can come back at the end… I was a little sick coming back from Australia. Then there were a lot of things that didn't work. I didn't play very well, I made a lot of mistakes, the ball didn't go the way I wanted it to, conceded afterwards his meeting the 130th in the world.

"It's not the first time this has happened to me"

The Biterrois seemed marked by the defeat and the two hours of play on the court. Is this a particularly indigestible blow ? "It's not the first time this has happened to me. This defeat doesn't mark me any more than any other, even if it's always hard to lose (…) I don't does not deserve to be higher than 130th", he analyzed.

Défaite de Richard Gasquet face à Pablo Llamas Ruiz à l'Open Sud de France !#lequipeTENNIS pic.twitter.com/I6DwjcZn84

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) January 30, 2024

Is the flame always there despite everything ? "When you play, it's to believe in it, to be better the following week. The truth of one week is not that of the next", he tried to be positive. Next meeting, the Marseille tournament for Richard Gasquet.