'Challengers', starring Richard Gasquet and Andy Murray—two veterans leaving no stones unturned

PARIS—Despite his sluggish start to the season, Novak Djokovic’s participation in last week’s ATP 250 in Geneva likely elicited some double takes. It’s not common to see a world No. 1—let alone a 24-time major champion—exerting himself right before a Grand Slam, the level of tournament Djokovic has said he aims to peak for.

Fans and pundits may have questioned the decision, but I’m guessing that two of the sport’s most ardent supporters weren’t as surprised.

Andy Murray, the 37-year-old former No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, has played ten tournaments this season. Six of them have been at the ATP 250 level or lower.

Richard Gasquet, the 37-year-old former No. 7 and three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, has played 15 tournaments this year, and five have been on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Gasquet has competed in all the sport’s venerable venues since turning pro more than two decades ago. As an 18-year-old, he ignited Monte Carlo’s well-heeled patrons when he upset a seemingly invincible Roger Federer. The Frenchman used his lovely one-handed backhand to similarly lethal effect years later at Wimbledon and the US Open, where he’s made the final four.

On Thursday, Gasquet drew a sizable crowd to Court Phillipe Chatrier for a practice session. It was almost certainly larger than those he’s played before this year in, among other places, Noumea, New Caledonia; Manama, Bahrain; and Szekesfehevar, Hungary.

“Sometimes you need to play Challengers to be ready to play these kind of matches,” the 124^th-ranked Gasquet told me Friday at Roland Garros.

Gasquet checked any ego he has at the door a long time ago, much like Murray, who—fresh off a Challenger stop in Bourdeaux—joined Djokovic in Geneva.

“Of course, we love the game, that’s why we’re still playing,” said Gasquet when asked about his and Murray’s schedules. “Especially for him, he won many Grand Slams, hip surgery—it’s incredible what he’s doing. He shows his passion for the game.

“He’s a friend of mine, I respect him a lot. We still try to play tennis, try to be competitive, we enjoy it to be here.”

Both veterans received Sunday starts at Roland Garros (can we cut them some slack?), with Gasquet taking on Borna Coric and Murray facing Stan Wawrinka. It will be the fourth terre battue tangle between Andy and Stan, after splitting semifinal collisions in 2016 and 2017, and a first-round encounter in 2020.

“I smile at the draw, of course,” Wawrinka told press on Friday. “It’s funny to play each other. After everything in our career, getting older, it’s gonna be a good challenge.”

Wawrinka, by the way, just played Challengers in Aix-en-Provence and Bordeaux. And he used the same word as Gasquet when describing the indefatigable Brit, and why they still compete like they do.

“Passion of the sport, love of the game. As simple as that,” said Wawrinka. “Playing the big tournament like here, Roland Garros, and having so much support in general. So much fans and crowd around the world, that’s what keeps me going.

“And I never forget, when I was a kid, why I wanted to play tennis. We dream about being here, Wimbledon and all these tournaments.”

Perhaps fittingly, Murray and Gasquet are within proximity in the draw. Two wins by each would see them square off in the third round, unlikely as that may be with Jannik Sinner and Cameron Norrie nearby—to say nothing of their initial challenges.

Like Wawrinka, Gasquet has an extensive history with Murray at the majors, though it’s one he’d like to forget:

• 2008, Wimbledon fourth round: Murray wins 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 6-4
• 2010, Roland Garros first round: Murray wins 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2, 6-1
• 2011, Wimbledon fourth round: Murray wins 7-6 (3), 6-3, 6-2
• 2012, Roland Garros fourth round: Murray wins 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2
• 2016, Roland Garros quarterfinals: Murray wins 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 6-2

“It’s painful for me, sometimes when I think about my matches against him,” Gasquet told me. “Especially in Wimbledon I was winning two sets to love, in 2008, and I lost in five. Here in Paris, in quarters, I lost in four—it was quite a great match, too, but he won. He was very good at that time. Very physical.

“So yeah, I try my best to win against him in Grand Slams, I couldn’t do it. Sometimes it’s a little bit tough to think about it.”

When it comes to Murray and Gasquet, there may be disparity in their head-to-head, but not in their headspace.

“We will see when we’ll stop,” said Gasquet, “but of course we are trying our best to compete high.”