In a recent interview, Gilles Simon explained how difficult it was for French talent to shine in the era of the Big 3, focusing especially on the confrontation between Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet.
In a recent interview, Gilles Simon explained how difficult it was for French talent to shine in the era of the Big 3, focusing especially on the confrontation between Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet. Simon explained: “The Big 3 have made tennis history and have conquered an endless number of titles.
In this regard, the parable of my compatriot Richard Gasquet comes to mind. When he was very young, Richard was often on the front pages of the newspapers. and it was thought that he would be number 1 in the world for many years.
Having grown up with this label, the French have never been satisfied with his career. Gasquet was a Top 10 and has beaten great players, but his career often comes underestimated. A lot of people bring up the fact that Richard often beat Rafael Nadal when they were kids.
Excessive pressure was put on him, which crushed Gasquet at some point. But he wasn’t wrong.”
Simon’s retirement and latests on the Big 3
Simon retired about a month ago after reaching the round of 16 in Paris-Bercy.
In 2022, French tennis also had to deal with the retirement of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Big 3 have monopolized this era of men’s tennis, leaving the crumbs to their rivals. Rafael Nadal won 22 Slams, followed by 21 by Novak Djokovic and 20 by Roger Federer.
Despite the pain in his foot, the Spanish phenomenon made his mark at the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year. The Serbian narrowed the gap by triumphing at Wimbledon for the fourth time in a row, the seventh ever.
Nole thus raised a season heavily influenced by her choice not to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus. The 35-year-old from Belgrade will try to catch Rafa already at the Australian Open 2023, having removed the three-year ban that hung on his head.
Federer, for his part, retired on 23 September 2022 at the age of 41, after playing his last game alongside Nadal at the Laver Cup.
