by Beth Rifkin
True or false: a country is only as good as its professional athletes? False but true? Think of it this way-Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, David Beckham, Lance Armstrong, Roger Federer.
French tennis pro Richard Gasquet (pictured above) has been captivating his homeland's fans since he was a child. At age nine, he was featured on the cover of France's Tennis Magazine with the caption, "Is Richard G the champion France is eagerly waiting for?" And at the age of 16 he finished in the no. 1 juniors spot and was named World Junior Champion. That same year, Gasquet was also the youngest player ever to finish in the ATP top 200. But as ATP's Deuce Magazine reports, superior ability also brings intense pressure - and at times - the expectations of an entire nation.
Now at the age of 21, Gasquet is just one of three active players to have won titles on all surfaces (clay, grass, hard & indoor). His skill combined with his likeability factor has earned him a frequent spot on ATPTennis.com's ATP Play of the Week. He's also long been considered a technical master and some have gone so far as to label him a "baby Federer". Additionally, Gasquet had a phenomenal 2007; he reached the Wimbledon semifinals, broke into the top ten, made his Masters Cup debut and had the honor of a Terracotta Warrior likeness sculpted of him in Shanghai.
But it can be difficult for a child to fulfill a nation's hope for a hero; despite these great accomplishments, Gasquet has received much criticism from the French press for not achieving more. Added to the pressure is the constant comparison to the success that three time French Open champion Rafael Nadal has experienced - despite the difference in physicality, Nadal is just two weeks younger in age than Gasquet. Upon reaching a career best world ranking of no. 8 in 2007, Gasquet commented to the press with apparent frustration of the criticism, "---it's great for me, my parents, my coach, and those close to me because, believe me, reaching the Top 10 is anything but easy."
A win against Romania in the Davis Cup opening round this past weekend means that Gasquet, along with Australian Open stunner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the doubles finalists in Melbourne this year, Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra, will next face the U.S. in the quarterfinals. Ironically, the two countries are the most successful in Davis Cup history and yet, both have received intense criticism and heavily carry the hopes of their respective nations on their shoulders.
True or false: damned if you do, damned if you don't?!
February 12, 2008
