Richard Gasquet

Richard Gasquet of France, returns a shot to Sergio Roitman of Argentina during the first round of the US Open Tennis Championship, 27 August 2007, at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA

One of the finest youth players seen in decades, Frenchman Richard Gasquet is hoping to unleash his full potential at the 2009 US Open tennis championships. With a good record in the US Open, Gasquet will be looking to put the infamous 'cocaine kiss' scandal behind himself as he goes for glory at Flushing Meadows.

Player Biography

Richard Gasquet was born in Beziers, France in 1986. With his father managing a tennis club, the youngster was destined to excel in the game. The young Gasquet took to tennis with relish, and by the age of nine was being touted as a future French champion.

Career

Richard Gasquet made an exceptionally early start to his career, playing his first ATP tour game at the age of 15 in 2002. His performances that year were remarkable, as he made his French Open debut, whilst taking the US Open junior title to finish the year as world junior champion.

Grand Slam Record

Following his impressive ATP debut, Richard Gasquet continued playing on both the youth and senior circuits. This early part of his career saw him struggling at the big events where he was knocked out in the first round of every grand slam tournament he played in between 2002 and 2004.

In 2005 Gasquet's play began to mature as he adapted to the demanding tour schedule to take his first ATP title, winning on grass in Nottingham in June. This maiden title was accompanied by a surge in form that saw the young Frenchman power into the 3rd round of each grand slam, advancing to the 4th round of the US Open.

The following season saw Richard Gasquet consolidate his position on the top half of the ATP table. The young player achieved three impressive tour victories at Nottingham, Lyon and Gstaad as well as another excellent showing at the US Open where he reached the 4th round for the second year in succession.

2007 proved to be a quieter year with Richard Gasquet taking on one ATP title, at Mumbai, with the season's highlight coming in the form of a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon. He suffered an early dismissal from the 2008 US Open after being defeated by Germany's Tommy Haas.

Gasquet spent most of the 2009 tennis season dealing with the fallout of a positive drugs test. Cocaine was found in the player's blood during routine testing, resulting in a ban from the sport. Gasquet was subsequently able to convince authorities that the cocaine had entered his bloodstream indirectly, and had his ban cut short as a result allowing him to qualify for the 2009 US Open.

Playing Style

Richard Gasquet is generally regarded as one of the most talented players in the ATP, whose major obstacle comes in the form of inexperience and impulsiveness. He is renowned for his one-handed backhand, described at the most beautiful in the modern game.