HEAD TO HEAD Richard Gasquet - Tennis Player
RICHARD GASQUET
The elegant Frenchman takes us through what he, and maybe we, should look out for in choosing the right tennis racket.
e’re at Wimbledon but what is your favourite Slam? Back home at Roland Garros? I love Wimbledon, but I am fortunate enough to have a Grand Slam in my own
country so playing there in front of my friends and family, not to mention the French public always make it so special. Because of the surface, there is a physical dimension which is very specifi c to the tournament, just like Wimbledon I suppose!
As Brits, we have to ask you about Andy Murray - what do you enjoy most about playing him? First of all it is always a big challenge to play against Andy but he has every single shot and has improved tremendously over the years. He clearly has the potential to become number one in the world. His coaching relationship with Ivan Lendl seems to be very benefi cial to his game, also. I like the way he plays because he has the ability to mix up his game all the time which is also what I like doing.
How much say do you get in the development of Head products? We exchange on a regular basis about things that I would like to improve. My racket has been the same for a while and I would not want to change
I love Wimbledon, but I am fortunate enough to have a Grand Slam in my own country so playing there in front of my friends and family, not to mention the French public always make it so special
it. However these days, we are collaborating over the developments of new tennis shoes as well.
Are you able to take your ideas to them to be implemented?
I bring feedback to the team and they take it into account to improve the products. Keeping the communication going between myself and the Head team is the key to better products.
What features do you look for in the racket that you use? The main things for me are the weight, balance and swing rate; all these are key to a professional tennis player. We are very sensitive to the slightest change in our racket, something as little as how the racket is painted can sometimes makes a difference also.
What would you advise young players or beginners to look/feel for when buying/using new rackets? They need to buy a racket which suits their game and their level of play. When you start, you would not want to have
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one which is too stiff, for example. You can also make adjustments with the strings you chose and the tension to suit you. You have to go through a bit of trial and error!
ON THE
What other sports do you enjoy watching? I am a big football fan, so Paris Saint-Germain, and I’m also a rugby fan; Toulon are my team and I really like to watch Jonny Wilkinson.
If you could have one element/part of an opponent’s game, what would it be? I would probably say Federer’s forehand - the best in my opinion.
Thanks very much and good luck for the rest of the year. Thank you!
TOUR WHO… Do you spend most free time with? My two coaches Riccardo Piatti and Sebastien Grosjean. Do you look up to the most? Federer, the best player ever. Do you enjoy watching the most? Same answer, he is an inspiration to me. Do you like playing against? Maybe Berdych these days. I have had good results against him. Is the toughest opponent? Nadal wihout a doubt - very diffi cult to play. Has given you the best advice? No one that I can think of. Tennis is an individual sport and every player is very protective of their own little secrets.
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