Jannik Sinner shows true colours as tennis legend cries after losing at French Open

World number one Jannik Sinner insisted on letting beaten rival have his moment after handing the French legend the final defeat of his career. Gasquet, who turns 40 next year, confirmed this year's would be his farewell tournament.

Sinner, playing in his first grand slam since , completed a straight sets victory over Gasquet at Roland Garros. It was the second straight year in which he has eliminated the veteran at the second round stage.

"It's obviously a very special place for me to play, and against Richard," Sinner said on court after his victory. "We played already last year here, so it's obviously very tough, but generally I'm really happy to win [and make it into] the third round.

"Thank you so much for being so fair to me," he added, to loud applause from the crowd. "I know what's on the line, so thank you so much."

Gasquet, given a wild card for the tournament, was playing at his home slam for the 22nd and final time. He was visibly emotional as Sinner paid tribute, before receiving a piece of the court as a souvenir to mark the end of his career, while rivals of years gone by also sent video tributes of their own.

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Sinner, who was still a few weeks shy of his second birthday when Gasquet made his Roland Garros debut in 2002, then addressed his rival "I can say, of course, we are different generations but in other ways it's your moment," he said..

" For me it's very difficult to talk now, but congrats to your amazing career. You gave so much for this amazing crowd, for your home crowd. Congrats to your family, to your team."

He continued: "Without great people around each player it's not possible to make such an incredible career. You played in an incredible era of tennis and everyone will recognise you even after your retirement.

"We all hope as players that you can still come sometimes to the tennis courts, it's so nice to have you around, and again, congrats to everything you've done. An amazing career but mostly an amazing person you are, and I wish you all the best for your new chapter and now it's your time."

Gasquet had previously confirmed in October 2024 that this year's French Open would be his swansong. "I think this is the best time for me to do it. It's the best tournament to do it. It's wonderful, and we're lucky as Frenchmen to be able to retire in such unbelievable places," the former No.7 said.

"The end is always complicated, as all the former great players have often told me. You never know when, how, where. As far as I'm concerned, it was obvious."