Richard Gasquet

Classically elegant Frenchman with one of the most technically perfect backhands in tennis history.

Richard Gasquet was born on 18 June 1986 in Béziers, France. As a child prodigy, he appeared on the cover of French tennis magazine at age 10 demonstrating his textbook backhand. He turned professional in 2002 and built a career defined by his extraordinary single-handed backhand, considered one of the finest of the Open Era. Gasquet won 16 ATP titles and reached the 2007 Wimbledon semi-finals. His career-high ranking was No. 7. He never won a Grand Slam but remained a top-20 player for nearly two decades and is remembered as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation.

Gasquet is renowned for having one of the most beautiful one-handed backhands in modern tennis, characterized by exceptional timing and fluid technique. He possesses excellent court craft and shot placement, often constructing points with precision rather than raw power. His playing style is considered classical and elegant, though he has sometimes been criticized for lacking the aggressive mentality needed at the highest level.

Gasquet's one-handed backhand is widely regarded as one of the finest technical shots in modern tennis and has inspired many players. He represents the classical style of tennis in an era increasingly dominated by power and athleticism.

• Wimbledon Semi-finalist 2007
• Davis Cup 2017