Gasquet criticizes tennis: “We are the only sport where we play four hours”

French tennis player Richard Gasquet gave an interview to the French newspaper L'Équipe in which he has asked for changes in tennis after competing in Patrick Mouratoglou's Ultimate Tennis Showdown, a tournament from which he defends his innovative format. “It was good, I played against great players and it was very well organized, and it was very nice to play. Everything goes very fast and all points count, and for the viewer it is also fine

Gasquet confessed that he is unable to watch long games on the tennis courts. “I don't know if there is someone who loves tennis more than me, but I can't see Roland Garros, I can't see four or five sets or a Federer-Nadal. When you see that they go 7-6 and 0-1 after spending 1 hour and 20 minutes watching, it makes me stop. Is very tired. I do not mean that extreme formats are not necessary but that other solutions can be found. “

In fact, Gasquet defends a series of changes in tennis when it comes to talking to coaches and the length of games. “In tennis I would ask for more freedom. Being able to talk to your coach and listen to what your opponent says can help you. We should also think about shortening playing time. We are the only sport in which we play more than four hours. It's difficult because watching five-set matches makes people dream and it's history. “

The Frenchman also defends that the ATP is not so strict with the attitudes of the tennis players on the court. “There is an interesting way of expressing things. Everyone talks about Fognini, Paire, Kyrgios … as if they were lifeguards. Everyone wants to see Fognini saying those words. They should let the players express themselves more. It can't cost you $ 5,000 to toss a ball to the public. Here we have been able to talk to the coaches and it is good to try new things to reach a middle ground. Now in ATP you can't do anything. If you open your mouth a little and say shit, you will be fined $ 3,000 And they also punish you if your coach tells you something. It is unbearable!”

Finally, Gasquet is cautious about the return of tennis, which he says has been one of the sports most affected by the coronavirus. “From the beginning I said that tennis would be the sport most affected by the pandemic and it has been confirmed. We do not know anything about whether we will have to quarantine when we return from the United States. We cannot book flights yet, we do not know anything. As a result of the latest rebreats in the United States, everything indicates that the circuit should not be resumed, but like other sports, we should start again. “