From our special correspondent,
In my memory as a follower of Richard, or even as an unofficial biographer with this almost unhealthy level of knowledge of his career when you are not family, we had never seen him so moved. The teardrop was there, impatient, ready to flow, during a standing ovation from Lenglen for real. Gasquet himself couldn’t believe it. 3h23 of play against Borna Coric, a former 12th in the world who made him ten years younger, without ever weakening physically. 46 winning shots against 28 unforced errors, mutant statsbefore the blow, a backhand passing signature of the Gasquet house since 1812, debriefed on the spot by the artist:
“ “This shot is a lot of relief because at 5-5 and it’s going to the fourth set… I’m happy that it goes up on my backhand, I know that’s where I can pass it. It’s a move I often pull off. It’s not the first point of the match, there’s a little fatigue, I know I have a big chance to score it, I slip it perfectly.” »
Lenglen, at first gently encouraging, had long since melted, as if penetrated by the Frenchman’s daze, pushed by a clan noisier than a schoolyard on a Monday morning. This is because we don’t often have the opportunity, in life, to rejuvenate without paying. Richtie was 18 again, hitting hard like a man, from both ends of the court.
“The short that carries me the most”
Nothing to do with the old glory at the end of the race who now has to struggle to enter the tournaments. But what happened before our amazed eyes my Richard, give us a rational explanation:
“The public was very enthusiastic, it carried me from start to finish. This short is fabulous for that. The public is close to the court, it’s the court that carries me the most. I had some great matches on it.” Sometimes heartbreaking, by the way. In our personal pantheon, the Dante defeat against Wawrinka in 2013 in the same place, arises there. But this time, there is no comeback to digest on the way home, thanks to a physical condition that is frankly unsuspected for those watching the Biterrois out of the corner of their eye this season.
“ “I worked well, I tried to get back into shape, I have played around thirty matches since the start of the season, the two combined mean that I can hold on better than last year. I am lighter. I tried to get a physical trainer, I played tough matches in Aix, in Rome, obviously that helps you. It’s a good surprise for me to win matches like that after 3h30 on earth, it’s good.” »
No Lenglen in the second round
To tell the truth, we surprised ourselves by not even worrying at 3-2 break for Coric in the third. The tank gauge had been dry for a long time, but Richard is like an old jalopy that has a second life in Africa. The needle hasn’t moved for a long time and mileage no longer means anything. In what state of ache will our favorite ancestor wake up in two days to challenge, in all probability, the Italian robocop Janick Sinner and his forehand slaps that would dehorn a goat?
It might sting, but perhaps Ricciardo Piatti, his former coach who has long supported the rise of the 2nd player in the world, will be able to discreetly betray some secrets: “I don’t know if Piatti’s advice will be enough against Sinner. It will be favorite, but I did two great matches against him. I hope I play well and it will be a celebration for me at Central.” Oh yes, we didn’t tell you. Sinner playing on Lenglen on Monday, he will necessarily be entitled to the big boys’ court in the next round. Poop.