Richard Gasquet

France's Gael Monfils has joined compatriot Richard Gasquet in pulling out of the Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo, French RMC radio reported on Thursday.
Monfils, the world No.14, played no part in last weekend's Davis Cup quarter-final defeat to the US at the same venue because of a side strain, from which he has yet to recover.
Earlier, Gasquet's coach Riccardo Piatti said on his Twitter account that he would also be sidelined for the event because of a right shoulder injury.
``Unfortunately that's how it is. Richard has pulled out of the tournament. He tried to recover, but it still hurts,'' Piatti said.
Gasquet, ranked 17th, had also pulled out of the Davis Cup clash against the US because of the problem.
Gasquet was due to celebrate the tenth anniversary of becoming the youngest player to win a Masters 1000 match in Monte-Carlo aged 15 in 2002.

AAP.

France's Richard Gasquet believes he can crack the Top 10 in 2012. The 25-year-old is currently ranked No. 19 and appears to be over the shoulder injury that once hampered his progress. "I will try and break into the Top 10, I did it some years ago and I'm not far this year too," Gasquet told reporters at the Hopman Cup. "I think I will be able to do it this year in 2012."

Tennis.com

About Gasquet Preparation for Montreal Tournment
He has been in Montreal since last wednsday and played against Djokovic, Berdych, Simon

(in french could be translated by google)
http://www.welovetennis.fr/atp-montreal/38490-gasquet-fin-pret

Gasquet pulls out of Queens, leg injury. (Anyone left in the draw ?)

Ninth-seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet overcame a slow start to defeat Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in a match featuring nine breaks of serve. Both players had won 105 points each when Gasquet prevailed in two hours and 33 minutes. The 24-year-old Gasquet is through to the second round for the third straight year in Barcelona and will hope to break new ground when he faces Slovakian Blaz Kavcic.

R. GASQUET/D. Istomin

5-7, 6-3, 6-4

An interview with:

RICHARD GASQUET


THE MODERATOR: Questions in French, please.

Q. For this first round match, you started badly but were able to turn it around. Are you happy that you won?
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes, indeed, I started that match very badly. There was a lot of tension. He was quite confident, very tough to play.
I tried to stay calm, but it was very difficult because we played so many rallies. I stayed three hours on the court.

Q. You were talking about tension. Why was that?
RICHARD GASQUET: Well, I came to the court lacking some rhythm and playing my first match on clay, and he was making very few mistakes.
But I was able to play solid, hang in there. But it was tough.

Q. Last time I've seen you play here was 2002. Do you remember against whom?
RICHARD GASQUET: It was Safin.

Q. I rarely make a mistake, but at that time I said you would become world champion.
RICHARD GASQUET: I feel that question will get on my nerves.

Q. So what do you lack to have a better career?
RICHARD GASQUET: A bit of everything, physically, et cetera. Unfortunately, I must say there's a lot missing. I'm not that far, after all, but still...

Q. Is the transition to clay more difficult than other transitions during the year?
RICHARD GASQUET: It is always more difficult for me. There are many things to adjust to, like sliding. I need to play higher, make no mistakes.
Today I had a bad start, and he didn't give away any free points. If I had been able to hit harder, I wouldn't have had to run so much.

Q. Overall, there's a feeling you came back pretty well this year.
RICHARD GASQUET: Not bad. But I'm not going to get overenthusiastic. However, the beginning of this year is promising. It's better than last year anyway. I will try to remain injury free.

Q. Is it difficult for you to adapt to clay?
RICHARD GASQUET: It's always difficult for me to adapt to clay. The other players don't make any mistakes and it's always tough.

Q. Is that the most difficult transition?
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. Switching to grass is easier for me. On clay you need to be very strong physically, whereas grass is more technical and I can adapt sooner to grass.

Q. But you are reassured about your tennis level now?
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. I'm happy I have no injuries. I'm also happy I pulled out that match today and I can play a second match here. I would have been disappointed if I had lost, because this is a beautiful tournament, there are many people watching.
I'm happy to be able to play again.

Q. You have your best ranking in two years. We see you enjoy playing. Does the fact that now you are again in the top 20 put more pressure on you?
RICHARD GASQUET: Yes. But I'm used to it because I've been under pressure since I was very young. Also, I'm happy that I've improved my ranking. I feel really pumped up and I'm in good health.
I try not to get tense, as happened in the beginning of this match. I started badly, and it could have cost me the win.

World No. 18 Richard Gasquet survived a scare in his first-round match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Monday, coming from a set down to beat Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

The Frenchman, who reached the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tennis tournament in 2006 (d. Federer, l. to Nadal), broke serve decisively in the ninth game of the third set and sealed victory in two hours and 40 minutes. It marked his 13th tour-level victory of the season.

"I came to the court lacking some rhythm and playing my first match on clay, and he was making very few mistakes," reflected Gasquet. "But I was able to play solid, hang in there. But it was tough. I'm happy I pulled out that match today and I can play a second match here. I would have been disappointed if I had lost, because this is a beautiful tournament, there are many people watching."

Richard Gasquet and coach Gabriel Markus have parted ways.

"I've been happy to work with Richard and we've had success," the Argentine coach told L'Equipe.

"He has improved his ranking and his tennis. I tried to show him my way of seeing things and I did a little, but I think it'll be more confortable to continue as before, with Eric Deblicker. They have a very good relationship, and I wish them the best."

Source: Tennis Magazine.

Gasquet has withdrawn from next weeks event in New Haven.

Richard Gasquet retired against Kristof Vliegen 3-6, 0-0. - with an apparent back injury in Washington.