"Tough to face Rafael Nadal every time" - Richard Gasquet opens up about his 0-18 record against Spaniard, explains reason behind "tricky" matchup
Richard Gasquet has never managed to defeat Rafael Nadal in a tour-level encounter, despite facing the Spaniard regularly for over 18 years. Gasquet recently opened up about his poor record against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The duo's first meeting on the ATP tour took place at the 2004 Estoril Open, where Nadal claimed a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory. The former World No. 1 went on to dominate their rivalry, triumphing in all 17 of their subsequent matches, with Gasquet last taking a set off the Spaniard in 2008.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion's perfect 18-0 record against Gasquet ranks as the second-most lopsided head-to-head record in history, only being surpassed by Novak Djokovic's 19-0 winning record against Gael Monfils.
Richard Gasquet recently reflected on the challenging nature of their matchup. The Frenchman pointed out that his struggles against Rafael Nadal weren't limited to clay, as he suffered a 6-0, 6-1, 7-5 loss in their most recent meeting at the 2022 US Open.
Gasquet explained that the 38-year-old's playing style was particularly "tricky" for him to handle because it didn't match up well with his game. He also emphasized that going up against one of the greatest players in history was not an easy task.
"For sure, bad for me because I lost 18 times, especially when I played against him on clay. Even on hard court, I lost, you know, last one in the US Open," Gasquet said in an exclusive interview with CLAY.
"I lost to him many times. It was tough, especially. His game was tricky for mine. He is one of the best players in history, so, of course, it was tough for me to face him every time," he added.
"I won, it was the first and the last time" - Richard Gasquet on his first match against Rafael Nadal as a teenager
Despite his 0-18 record against Rafael Nadal in their tour-level encounters, Richard Gasquet can still boast of beating the Spaniard in their first-ever meeting as juniors.
In a 2018 interview with the ATP, the Frenchman fondly recalled beating Nadal as a 13-year-old at the Les Petit As junior tournament, humorously remarking that it was the first and last time he managed to get the better of the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
"I remember the first time I saw him. I was 13 years old. I played him in Les Petit As in Tarbes, France. We played a big match. I won, I think. It was the first time and the last time," Gasquet said.
What left a lasting impression on Gasquet was the remarkable amount of energy the Spaniard exerted on the court even as a teenager, hailing the former World No. 1 as an "incredible" player and person.
"I remember all the energy he had. Now, he's 31 years old, he's still the same guy. It was amazing how much energy he had outside the court, [and] inside of course. That's why he's an incredible player and an incredible person. That's why he's Rafa Nadal," he added.
Richard Gasquet also lavished praise on Rafael Nadal for clinching his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2005 French Open, commending the Spaniard on his "unbelievable" achievement at just 19 years of age.