Richard Gasquet has launched a challenge to Rafael Nadal for one final match – when they are both 50 years old. Nadal, 38, recently announced he will be walking away from tennis after competing in the Davis Cup in November.
On the same day the Spaniard, who won 22 Grand Slams over the course of his career, made his retirement announcement, Gasquet also informed his fans that this would also be his final year in tennis. Nadal is best known for his rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but the Frenchman is the first player he had a real rivalry with.
Nadal and Gasquet both came through the ranks at the same time and enjoyed many close battles at youth level. Unfortunately, things became extremely lopsided when they both made it into the pro circuit as Nadal won all 18 of their matches against each other.
In an interview with Le Parisien, Gasquet was asked about the amusing coincidence of him and the Spaniard both announcing their retirement on the same day. He said: “I would have liked not to know him so well during my career.
“I will still remain at 18-0 against him, so unless we play in a veterans’ match.” He added: “When we’re 50, I’ll call him to try and have a rematch.
“I’ll stay fit and try to beat him… But it won’t count on the circuit. I’ll wait a bit because even today, I’m not sure I’d beat him.
“Everyone wants to pay tribute to him, and I’m no exception. It’s a chapter of tennis history that’s closing.
Nadal announced his news on Friday, 11 October. He will be competing in the lucrative Six Kings Slam tournament in Saudi Arabia, which will see himself, Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune compete for a £4.6million prize.
