Nadal Earns Frenchman's Appreciation

You have to be a sadomasochist to want to play him [Nadal] at any time, but I’m very motivated. Rafa supported me more than anyone in the last few months and if he ever needs me to help him, I will do what I can. I’ll never forget what he’s done for me. Now I just want to get out and play.

Richard Gasquet speaks of his gratitude of the Spaniard’s support during his drug ordeal. Nadal is always the gentleman and gave the Frenchman vocal support.

Now in a bit of irony and another evil matchup of the day, Gasquet and Nadal must play each other in first-round action today. Nadal is 6-0 over the Frenchman. Both are a bit rusty, but Gasquet is really rusty. He failed to qualify last week in New Haven. Hopefully, the Frenchman and his backhand can return to form and up his ranking, so he does not have to meet someone like Nadal so early in tournaments.

(Image: lequipe.fr)