Former world No. 7 Richard Gasquet's US Open career came to an end on Wednesday in the second round of the 2024 US Open Qualifying Tournament with a loss to Lithuanian Vilius Gaubas on Stadium 17.
The 38-year-old Frenchman, now ranked No. 126 in the world, was bidding to reach his 20th consecutive US Open main draw this year but fell short of that overall goal in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to a player nearly 20 years his junior. He hadn't missed the main draw since his 2005 debut, when he reached the fourth round as a 19-year-old.
After the match, Gasquet was given the opportunity to address the crowd and was also presented with a token of appreciation for his years at the US Open by US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster.
"It's a little bit sad for me to finish this year [like this] but I'm really happy with how I've played here in New York ... to be here with the crowd, to feel this emotion, these feelings. You play tennis to feel these kind of feelings," Gasquet, who had beaten American Denis Kudla in the first round of qualifying, said.
"It's electric, it's incredible for me to play in New York. I will keep these memories for my life."
Gasquet posted a 30-18 career main-draw record at the US Open, which was highlighted by a run to the semifinals in 2013: one of three Grand Slam semifinals he reached in his career. He lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal that year. Two years later, he reached the quarterfinals, where he was beaten by Roger Federer.
"I'm so lucky," the Frenchman said. "I played on the best court here with a lot of crowds. It was the most incredible atmosphere you can face on a tennis court, playing with 20,000 people on a center court. I could play Federer, [Novak] Djokovic, Nadal, the best players on this court, and I'm proud with the way I played here in New York.
"I hope to come back with you, in the crowd, next year."
