Richard Gasquet celebrates clinching his third Montpellier title in four years on February 7, 2016. (Getty)
Richard Gasquet has unfinished business at Wimbledon. The 30-year-old Frenchman was beaten by Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon’s semi-finals last year– his best run at the All-England Club since a semi-final defeat to Roger Federer in 2007.
This year, he’s off to a strong start. Gasquet, who is the world number 10, raced into a 4-1 lead against Aljaz Bedene in the first round and swept past the British player 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Gasquet’s single-handed backhand is regarded as one of the most impressive in the game and he hit 16 backhand winners on his way to victory.
Gasquet has had an impressive career, although he’s still in search of his first singles Grand Slam title. In singles, his best Grand Slam achievements are reaching the semifinals of the 2007 and 2015 Wimbledon Championships and the semifinals of the 2013 U.S. Open.
Other career highlights include winning the 2004 French Open mixed doubles event with Tatiana Golovin, and taking home an Olympic bronze medal in 2012, partnering with Julien Benneteau.
As far as prize money for its players, tennis is one of the most lucrative sports. Gasquet’s net worth is estimated to be $13.1 million by Celebrities Money. Here are five fast facts to know about Gasquet’s net worth, prize money and career earnings.
1. He Has Earned $737,545 in Prize Money in 2016
Thank You to everybody for all this amazing support !! @rolandgarros #RG16
Gasquet is coming off a straight sets win over Bedene at Wimbledon that took just over two hours. In the victory, Gasquet won 46 of his 59 first serve points and racked up 38 winners and 23 unforced errors.
Gasquet is enjoying the most consistent run of his career, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2015 and after missing the Australian Open due to a back injury, he added a career-best performance at the French Open, where he reached his first quarter-final before losing to Andy Murray.
He improved to 13-12 in ATP World Tour finals by capturing his third title at Montpellier, and moved into second place among Frenchmen in the Open Era with 13 titles.
Another highlight in 2016, was sealing the Davis Cup victory for France in the doubles match with partner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
His earnings have added up to $737,545 in prize money, according to ATPWorld Tour.com.
2. He Has Won $14,232,731 in Singles & Doubles Combined in His Career
Richard Gasquet raises the trophy after his victory over Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios during the Estoril Open Tennis tournament, in Estoril on May 3, 2015. (Getty)
The Frenchman has ended four seasons in the Top 10 (2007, 2012-13, 2015), highlighted by a No. 8 finish in 2007. Gasquet broke into Top 10 and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 7 on the day after reaching Wimbledon semi-finals in July 2007.
Gasquet, who turned pro at 16-years-old has pulled in $14,232,731 in career prize money.
He began playing tennis at the age of 4 with his father, Francis, who ran a tennis club in Serignan. His mother, Maryse, also is a tennis instructor.
It didn’t take long for Gasquet’s talent to become noticed. He was discovered by former ATP pro Pierre Barthes who ran a nearby camp and at age 9, he was featured on the cover of French Tennis Magazine in Feb. 1996.
Throughout his junior career, Gasquet was coached by his father and, for a short period, by Tarik Benhabiles. He posted a 44-7 singles record and was ranked juniors No. 1 in September 2002, just prior to turning pro.
3. His Net Worth Is Estimated to Be $13.1 Million
In 2015, Celebrity Net Worth estimated Gasquet’s net worth to be $8 million. His net worth is now estimated to be $13.1 million by Celebrities Money.
Gasquet signed a lucrative new clothing deal with Le Coq Sportif in 2014. Having worn Lacoste throughout his career, Gasquet made the switch to rival French label Le Coq Sportif.
4. He Has Paid $15,018 in Fines
Richard Gasquet argues with Portugal’s empire Carlos Ramos during a French tennis Open round in 2013. (Getty)
Gasquet has totaled $15,018 in fines during his 14-year career, with the most in 2015 at $8,190.
The tennis pro was a source of controversy in 2009 when he tested positive for drugs. However, he was cleared to resume playing after completing a two-and-a-half month ban and convincing the independent anti-doping tribunal that he ingested cocaine through a kiss with a woman he had just met at a nightclub.
“We have found the player to be a person who is shy and reserved, honest and truthful and a man of integrity and good character,” the tribunal said in its ruling. “He is neither a cheat nor a user of drugs for recreational purposes.”
It also noted that Gasquet would be banned for life if he tested positive for a banned drug a second time, according to ESPN. The ruling allowed him to keep the ranking points and prize money he gained at tournaments.
5. He Used His Resources to Create the Richard Gasquet Foundation to Help Underprivileged Children
Richard Gasquet launched his own charity which aims to help adolescents who struggle to find their place in society and who suffer from a lack of confidence. (Getty)
Gasquet launched his own charity in 2008, a foundation with a two-fold mission: to use tennis to bring underprivileged youths back to health, and as a means to build a future away from poverty.
He expressed his inspiration behind the foundation in a press release:
I want to be able to achieve success on the court without cutting myself off from the rest of the world. Top class sportsmen should not live in an isolated world — they should feel concerned by the world that surrounds them and try and help others.
Before starting the foundation, Gasquet had been a part of a handful of educational initiatives under the Jean-Luc Lagardere Foundation, experiences that ignited his interest in creating his own charity.
“I had the luck of being surrounded by people that enabled me to play tennis well from a very early age,” said Gasquet. “I’m aware that this is not the case for everyone. Yet everybody has a certain talent and potential that needs developing.”
The foundation, which began eight years ago, works under the support of Gasquet, the Jean-Luc Lagardere Foundation and other partners.
