Richard Gasquet Reaches 500 ATP Wins

World number 34, Richard Gasquet is now the holder of a national record. He is the first French tennis player to complete 500 singles career wins in the Open Era. The feat was achieved when he sealed his berth in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Gasquet delivered a 6-2 7-5 straight sets win over Germany’s Mischa Zverev in the third round. He is the eighth active player on the ATP World Tour to have reached the milestone.

Other players to have achieved similar lofty heights are: Roger Federer (1149), Rafael Nadal (881), Novak Djokovic (788), David Ferrer (724), Andy Murray (655), Tomas Berdych (626), and Tommy Robredo (533).

However, Gasquet maintained a sense of humility with regard to the feat, in fact he considers himself among the worst to be in the list.

“I’m happy I did it in Monte-Carlo 16 years after my first victory,” the 31-year-old said.

“There are very few players who have achieved this… I certainly am among the worst of players [to achieve it].”

Gasquet’s next opponent is Mischa’s brother Alexander Zverev. The two will square off for a spot in the last-eight stage.

Gasquet was delighted to capture his 500th ATP win in Monaco. His maiden ATP win was, incidentally at the Monte Carlo Masters back in 2002. At that time, He was just 15-years old and managed to beat Argentina’s Franco Squillari in the first round.

Prior to that, the Frenchman had to make it past the qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, something he did with ease.

Unfortunately, his progression halted there as former world No. 1 Marat Satin proved too much for Richard Gasquet. “I’m very happy to do it in Monaco, where I won my first (ever ATP) match in 2002,” Gasquet said after beating Zverev.

Will the Frenchman make it his 501st victory at the principality of Monte Carlo?