Richard Gasquet Retirement: Why His One-Handed Backhand Was Exceptional in Tennis Throughout His Career ?

Throughout his career, Richard Gasquet has wreaked havoc with his backhand. MAXPPP – Leon Tanguy

Future retiree from world tennis at the next Roland-Garros 2025, Richard Gasquet has built his career and identity around an iconic shot: his one-handed backhand.

For a few more months, everyone will still be able to enjoy this unique shot, which is disappearing in modern tennis. A real signature for Richard Gasquet, who will retire at the Roland-Garros 2025, as he announced this Tuesday, October 10 in an interview with L’Équipe. "I'm very happy to have this shot, that people like it and identify me with it", he says with satisfaction to Midi Libre.

But how did this shot end up on the palette of the Michelangelo from Hérault ? Was he forced to do it with one hand tied behind his back like Nike had invented for Rafael Nadal ? "His one-handed grip came naturally, answers his father and first coach, Francis. I have often been criticized for wanting to make Richard a champion, but if that were the case, I would not have let him start with a one-handed backhand.”

With this shot, he is capable of playing absolutely all zones, at all speeds and in any situation

It was a very bad move for the patriarch of the Béziers family, who is well known to Stéphane Huet, former coach of the other Hérault player on the circuit, Arthur Cazaux, and former world number 96.“His dad was constantly asking me to play with him because he couldn't stand playing me”, explains the executioner of Ivan Lendl in the first round of Roland-Garros in 1993.

“Usually he would leave with one less racket in his bag. Dad would laugh a lot, but “Richie” not so much. But he has an incredible hand. With that shot, he can play absolutely every zone, at every speed and in every situation. It's not given to everyone", continues Huet.

A science of the game at the service of the shot

As magnificent as it is, Gasquet's backhand is not without weaknesses between the difficulty of playing at shoulder height or even a lack of power on impact. "Stan Wawrinka plays his with more force because he uses the forearm, explains Sébastien Grosjean, former coach of the Béziers native and long-time friend. While Richard, himself, uses his wrist more."

Whatever, the Hérault native has always compensated for his lack of juice with an unstoppable game science. Remaining patient when he knows he is incapable of playing a winning shot with his backhand to play short crosscourt for example to get his opponent out wide and better conclude the point. And what he will continue to do for a few more months.

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