Latest news with #RichardGasquet
Washington Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Kissing contamination defense clears French Olympic fencer Thibus in doping appeal case
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — French Olympic fencer Ysaora Thibus was cleared of a doping allegation Monday because the judges accepted she was contaminated by kissing her American partner over a period of nine days. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling echoed a verdict clearing another French athlete with a similar defense in a doping allegation — tennis player Richard Gasquet in the celebrated 'cocaine kiss' case in 2009.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Wimbledon Has Removed Line Judges But AI Can't Override Its DNA
France's Richard Gasquet collides with a line-judge as he competes against Netherlands' Botic Van De ... More Zandschulp during their men's singles tennis match on the sixth day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) Stefan Edberg won Wimbledon twice and understood that the tournament's DNA resonated beyond the tennis. 'For me, and most of the other players, too, if you had to pick one of the four Grand Slams, you would pick Wimbledon. It's got tradition, it's got atmosphere, and it's got mystique,' said the former World No. 1 in an interview with the Independent in 1996. Almost thirty years ago is eons in tennis technology. Part of that mystique and atmosphere was the line judges in their resplendent All England Club apparel. When Hawk-Eye technology was introduced to the Championships for the first time in 2006, computerized ball-tracking was deemed necessary to minimize human error. For its 148th edition, the AELTC has introduced electronic line calling to replace all line judges following the Australian Open and the U.S. Open implementation in 2021 and 2022. That sense of human interaction, surrounded by the force of nature that is grass has been central to Wimbledon's casting. This year's official poster offers the picture postcard of the English Garden; elegant, classy and other-worldly. The real Centre Court felt naked on Monday without those men and women marching to their official postings. Carlos Alcaraz looked lonely out there during his five-set fight against Fabio Fognini. The shouts of 'out' come from the staff at the grounds which at least gives some element of vocal recognition. Frances Tiafoe lost to Britain's Cameron Norrie on Wednesday and misses the 'fanfare' that the juxtaposition of officials and technology brought. 'If I were to hit a serve on a big point, you go up with the challenge, is it in, is it out? The crowd is, like, 'ohhh'. There's none of that," said the American. Lauren Pedersen, CEO of SportAI, a company that uses AI-powered sports technique evaluation, feels that technology doesn't have to mute the drama. 'For a sport like tennis, where so much of the detail is in the movement, the timing and the precision, technology can make those invisible elements visible,' says Pedersen, who used to play on the NCAA Division 1 circuit. 'AI tools like heatmaps, real-time analysis and swing comparisons can give viewers a clearer understanding of what's unfolding, without taking away from the thrill or emotion. It's not about replacing important traditions, but using tech to add new layers of meaning that enhance how we connect with the game." Sometimes, Wimbledon's traditions have been turned over by the natural elements that are out of their hands. In 1991, the precious Middle Sunday had been a day of rest for 114 years until the British weather forced the club's hand. The gates were open to 'the most enthusiastic Centre Court crowd we've ever had,' according to the public address announcer. 'You don't often hear a soccer crowd at Wimbledon,' joked John McEnroe. A decade later, Goran Ivanisevic had his moment in front of a raucous 'People's Monday' crowd, the year that cellphones met the internet. Things change, and new audiences are there to be won. As Roger Federer once said, 'The title doesn't come to you.' Wimbledon needs to advance with AI and authenticity hand in hand. In the media huddle that preceded the opening Monday, current CEO Sally Bolton tackled the replacement of people with pinpoint pixels . 'Wimbledon has always balanced heritage and tradition with innovation. Line judges have been such an important part of the Championships for so many years and we will still have them around the ground as match assistants.' LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: People dressed as line judges protest against the hawkeye camera ... More technology introduced this year for line calling on day two of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by) Once upon a time, the clear message was that Wimbledon wouldn't move its product for anyone. The clash between the men's singles final and the 2018 FIFA World Cup final was just one of those occasions. Now, the AELTC is quite happy to move their 2 pm slot to 4 p.m. to reach out to a far wider global audience. Wimbledon stands alone as a unique Slam, but it cannot be an island either. Technology connects continents. 'The goal is not to replace the human element, but to elevate it and make Wimbledon more engaging, transparent and accessible to audiences around the world, which is a clear priority of Wimbledon with moves like bringing The Hill to New Yorkers,' said Pedersen. A traditional analog life is the old school way that still has authentic lessons. It just can't serve fast enough for modern tennis. Wimbledon will stay white, retain The Queue and can serve strawberries and cream forever. Some things don't have to change.
New York Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Order of play: Philippe-Chatrier
Catch up on the second day of action at Roland Garros, as the first round continued to play out in Paris Getty Images Let's take you through today's order of play, starting with the first-round matches on the high-profile show Court Philippe-Chatrier. Play is due to start in just over an hour… R. Šramková vs. I. Świątek (5) N. Osaka vs. P. Badosa (10) T. Atmane vs. R. Gasquet J. Sinner (1) vs. A. Rinderknech So that's three matches during the day with Jannik Sinner's first-round match coming in the evening session — meaning it will not start before 8:15 p.m. local time (2:15 p.m. ET). Getty Images Reigning women's singles champion Iga Świątek is in action today — as a four-time winner of the French Open she knows what it takes to be successful at Roland Garros. So how does she feel coming into the tournament and her first round game today? Well, she spoke earlier in the tournament when the draw was made about her hopes for this year: "Every year is different, so you need to look ahead and have your goals for the future," she said. "But I am proud of my achievements here. I have great memories from past years and every tournament was a totally different story so I learned a lot, and it's always a pleasure to come back here and to play on these courts again. These are the best courts to play in. "Everybody is here to win. I am working hard to be as ready as possible and to play good tennis. This season has had more ups and downs than the seasons before but I know my game is there. I just need to figure out how to use it at the best moments in matches. Tennis is sometimes a complicated sport but we should make it easy in our head so I'll start, step by step." Getty Images No player has made themselves feel at home like Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. The Spaniard dominated the men's singles event for 20 years, picking up a record 14 titles along the way. It earned the now-retired Nadal his own statue outside the famous old venue, where he amassed a remarkable 112 wins and just three defeats in his career. And yesterday, we were treated to a tribute ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier to honour his career at this tournament. Here's a reminder of his French Open record: Record titles won: 14 Highest number of victories at a single major: 112 Longest winning streak in Roland Garros history: 39 matches (2010-2015) Seven finals won in straight sets Four titles won without dropping a set Getty Images They are the star of the show at the French Open: the dusty red courts that provide some of the most entertaining tennis on the calendar. For more than 50 years, the clay used at Roland Garros has come from a single factory in Oise, north of Paris and is made of bricks that are specifically used in France. Around 2,000 tonnes of bricks are needed each year to produce enough clay for tennis courts — 80 tonnes of clay is the usual order for courts at the French Open. The clay comes from new bricks with imperfections unsuitable for construction being crushed into a fine sand. Those particles of dust are less than one-tenth of a milimeter in size, creating the perfect surface for players to slide. Getty Images Roland Garros is famous for its red clay courts, which consist of crushed brick rolled over a limestone surface. Different clay courts around the world play differently and, as Venus Williams told the New York Times in 2010:''All clay courts are different. None play the same. This one (Roland Garros) plays the best.' Clay can be the most physically demanding surface for players, who can slide as they meet the ball, and is slower than hard courts or grass. That requires players to think multiple shots ahead and execute subtle moves by executing more spin. Countries where clay courts are common — France, Spain, Italy, the Mediterranean and Latin America — have produced players who have typically fared well at Roland Garros. Named after the French aviator, Roland Garros lies in Paris's 16th arrondissement and is the only major to be played on clay courts. The name of the stadium is used interchangeably with the tournament's official title of the French Open, with 20 courts making up the stadium complex. The biggest is Court Philippe-Chatrier, which has a 15,000 seat capacity. It was completed in 1928 as France prepared to defend its Davis Cup title at a peak period for tennis in the country dominated by the 'Four Musketeers' (Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste). One stand is named after each of the tennis Musketeers at Court Philippe-Chatrier. Getty Images Every sporty kid dreams of the moment — lifting a trophy in front of adoring fans. Well, in the men's tournament at the French Open, that means lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires. The silver bowl-shaped trophy is named after four of France's famous tennis players known as the Four Musketeers (Jean Borotra, Jacques Brugnon, Henri Cochet and Rene Lacoste). As for the women's singles champion, she collects the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen — named after the female French tennis player who was the inaugural world No. 1 from 1921 to 1926. That's some history behind both trophies. It's a pretty tidy sum for those lucky enough to be crowned champions. Both the men's and the women's singles champions will take home an equal prize pot of €2.55 million (£2.33 million / $3.09 million). That's an increase from the €2.4 million (£2.02 million / $2.72 million) won by Iga Świątek and Carlos Alcaraz last year. But the winners' trophy and a place in history is the real prize for most players. The story goes that Sabalenka started playing tennis by chance as a child — and it's a pretty good piece of fortune that she did. Three major titles, 20 WTA Tour titles and the current No. 1 WTA ranking later and it's safe to say her commitment to that moment of chance has paid off. Sabalenka's best French Open finish is in the semifinal in 2023, so she will be looking to go one further this year to put herself another step closer to a career Grand Slam. In a warm up for the competition at the Italian Open, she was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Zheng Qinwen in straight sets, but she advanced to the second round yesterday with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova. The Athletic It's a busy time in the sports world — and the calendar is only getting busier as we head into the summer. The Premier League season might be over but we have the Club World Cup and the Women's Euros to look forward to. Plus the Formula One and MLB seasons continue and Wimbledon isn't far away either. The Athletic is your one-stop shop to follow all those, and more, with our industry-leading sports coverage. So what are you waiting for? Sign up on an exclusive offer here. We'll be bringing you live updates and analysis throughout today's action (and plenty in the build-up, too) but if you want to catch Roland Garros live, here's all the information you need: U.S.: TNT Sports, Max TNT Sports, Max UK: TNT Sports TNT Sports Canada: TSN TSN France: Sport, Amazon Prime Getty Images The first round matches in both the men's and women's singles begin today at 11 a.m. CEST, which is 10 a.m. BST in London. That works out at 5 a.m. ET on the east coast of the U.S. and 2 a.m. PT on the west coast. This evening's session will start no earlier than 8:15 p.m. CEST in Paris, which is 7:15 p.m. BST, 2:15 p.m. ET, and 11:15 a.m. PT. Hello and welcome along to today's coverage of the second day of the French Open at Roland Garros! And what a tournament we should have in store at this, the second major of the year and the only one to be held on clay. We have a full slate of matches at this early stage of the competition in the men's and women's singles, so stick around for all the latest news, analysis, and match updates from around the courts as play gets underway.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Richard Gasquet ends 23-year career after loss to Jannik Sinner at French Open
PARIS: Richard Gasquet ended his 23-year professional career Thursday with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 loss to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the second round of the French Open. The 38-year-old Frenchman received a standing ovation and an honorary trophy during a post-match ceremony on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga appeared in a video tribute that was broadcast on the stadium's screen. Gasquet had announced earlier this year that Roland-Garros would be his final tournament. 'I couldn't dream of a better ending than having my last match on this court,' Gasquet said after losing to Sinner. 'I will keep loving tennis until the end of my life.' Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Gasquet in a post on his social media channels. Nadal's Instagram account featured photos of the pair through the years. 'Since we were kids we have shared so many moments together on and off the court. Hundreds of tournaments, cities, matches,' the 14-time French Open champion wrote. 'Throughout your great career your talent has been recognized worldwide and I am happy that today you were able to say goodbye to tennis in such a special place as (Roland-Garros). I wish you all the best in the future!' Gasquet reached a career-high No. 7 ranking in 2007 and made three major semifinals — twice at Wimbledon and once at the U.S. Open — but never reached a Grand Slam final. He won 16 ATP titles and was part of the French team that lifted the Davis Cup in 2017. He played over 1,000 matches during a career that began in 2002. This was his 22nd participation at the French Open.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Au revoir, Richard Gasquet! Frenchman loses to Jannik Sinner in farewell game at Roland Garros
France's Richard Gasquet smiles as he plays Italy's Jannik Sinner. (AP Photo) THE TIMES OF INDIA AT ROLAND GARROS: The Philippe Chatrier Court has been half-full for most of the day sessions this week, not on Thursday though. For Richard Gasquet, a former top-10 player, and the owner of an elegant single-handed backhand, it was a full house for his last outing. The Frenchman was up against the world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Both men were given standing ovations when they walked into the stadium. No sooner had play started and the roar on Chatrier echoed across the grounds with chants of 'Reeshard' clap, clap, clap; 'Reeshard' clap, clap, clap filling the late afternoon air. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! When Gasquet produced two backhand winners, down-the-line, catching Sinner out of position in the first of the veteran's service games, it raised visions. The Italian was having none of that though as he powered to a 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 second-round win in shade under two-hours. Who's that IPL player? Gasquet, who played in the era of the big three – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – made three Grand Slam semifinals, twice at Wimbledon and once in New York, suffered a calf injury in the lead up to his farewell tournament. Sinner, 23, took his time settling down on the clay, having played his first-round match under lights in vastly different conditions. 'In the evening, the ball bounces less. It can play a bit more flatter, because the ball doesn't pop up like it did today,' he said. 'Today, it was at times a bit cloudy, at times was sunny. Different conditions.' Sinner, who had some support in the stands, applauded the home crowd, saying they were respectful. 'When you play against French players here, it's a little bit different, the atmosphere. It's the same when I play in Italy,' he said.
