2012 still fruitless

Richard Gasquet; a child prodigy, dubbed ‘Baby Federer’ he experienced great success as a child. Unfortunately, this fortune has not followed him into his adult career as a tennis pro, and similarly to previous years, 2012 has proved exceedingly disappointing on the title front. A bitter repeat of 2011, Gasquet is yet to secure a title this year and he is running out of time.

So far, 2006 has been his prominent year to date and although having to venture back six years, you cannot deny the Frenchman of his sheer brilliance at that time; skilled, composed and full of flair he conquered on grass, clay and indoor carpet; 3 different surfaces illustrating his versatility and strength. Since winning Lyon, Gstaad and Nottingham in 2006, Gasquet has only managed two single titles since that time; Mumbai and Nice. He sustained a career detour and setback in 2009 when he was suspended after failing a cocaine drugs test. Although managing to clear his name and reduce the suspension after proving the cocaine was not substance abuse, but was present in his bloodstream because he had kissed a woman who was an abuser, he did not come back in the same fighting form and has had an unsatisfactory last few years.

This year he has entered many tournaments including the Australian Open where he was knocked out by David Ferrer, the Estoril Open where he advanced through the rounds to the final but lost out to Juan Martin Del Potro and the Roland Garros where Britain’s favourite Scott’s man Andy Murray championed in the fourth round ending Gasquet’s hopes of gaining a place in the quarter finals. Despite his efforts it appears Gasquet is lacking the pizazz of his rival counterparts, he needs to seriously improve his game if he intends to relive his childhood glory.