Top 3 or top 2 instead of Ruud around the time Ruud was ranked number 2 in the world yes but top 3 in this era with Fritz at number 4 or 5 is a stretch, maybe top 5 during a stretch of poor form from Fritz but no more.

 

Maybe not permanent #3 but career-high #3 is possible, and consistent top 8 would be likely. Gasquet career-high is #7.

 

To be fair, the Big 3/4 made so many players in their time look like clowns and chokers more than they should be viewed. Gasquet probably deserved more respect.

Nah, he had a ton of early losses at slams, that's not on Big 3/4, he could really lose to anyone

 

But if Ruud reached World number 2, then Gasquet could have also reached those heights in 2022. I am not sure of how to rate Ruud because he has some very good results at masters events and also other good accomplishments while having clear limitations but Gasquet is most likely the better player

 

I know this thread is a lame attempt at trolling but, just out of curiosity, I checked what results earned Gasquet his career high rank of #7 and Musetti — #6.

Gasquet: SF-4R-4R-2R and two Top 50 wins at slams + F and QF at M1000s + 3-7 record vs Top 10 and 7-10 vs Top 20 overall.
Musetti: SF-SF-3R-3R and five Top 50 wins at slams + F and two SFs at M1000s + 8-7 record vs Top 10 and 16-10 vs Top 20.

I'd say, with that type of results, it's more plausible that Musetti would have broken into Top 5 back then than Gasquet now.

 

Still Gasquet was playing in a more competitive era and he has more top ten wins at slams though Musetti has all the time to catch up.

 

Musetti is a way better mover than Richie

 

I agree, Gasquet at his best would be just below Alcaraz and Sinner.

 

In 2009, at the age of 23, Gasquet in his absolute prime finished the year ranked 7 places lower than Horacio Zeballos. But, sure, in 2025 he’d be top 3.

If only gasquet didn’t have the great misfortune of being around at the same time as the big 3(or Horacio Zeballos apparently).

 

I like Gasquet and love 1 handers but always thought his bh is overrated, specifically as a consistent rally shot to apply pressure. Sure the winners were beautiful, but how often did he pull the trigger in a match.

 

The strength of Gasquet backhand is that he would hardly ever miss with it.

 

Musetti has a much better forehand and serve than Gasquet. Gasquet's forehand is the reason he couldn't win a slam.

 

Gasquet's backhand was great, but he had obvious deficiencies in his game, such as the forehand and serve, not to mention that he wasn't a great mover. In this era, peak Gasquet perhaps wins a masters 1000 title, but he isn't a top 3 player in any era.

 

But Ruud, who is frequently argued by his critics to be a terrible player, was in the top 3.Is Ruud really better or as good as Gasquet?

 

I doubt it. My guess is that Gasquet could be in the Top 10, but definitely not in the Top 3. They're the same talent-wise, maybe bh was better in Gasquet's case, but he was same like Musetti: he was losing in first rounds too often.

 

Musetti loses in the first rounds too often? He seems relatively consistent to me though he has had some early exits

 

.

 

Gasquet would have likely won 2 masters in this era, but no way would he have ever been consistent enough to reach the top 3 in any era. Peak Berdych or Tsonga definitely could have been ranked #3 in 2025, but gasquet was nowhere near their level. Gasquet was 0-45 sets against the big 3 in slams

 

Gasquet would have likely won 2 masters in this era, but no way would he have ever been consistent enough to reach the top 3 in any era. Peak Berdych or Tsonga definitely could have been ranked #3 in 2025, but gasquet was nowhere near their level. Gasquet was 0-45 sets against the big 3 in slams

Wtf, was this seriously the thing? I can't remember now, but those are terrible numbers.

 

The difference is that Gasquet had arguably the greatest backhand ever, while Musetti only has a pretty good one, far from the best.

How come a right-handed player who's 0-18 against Nadal can even have an argument for having the best backhand?

I also don't think there's a very big difference when it comes to mental strength. Gasquet managed to lose against pre-prime Murray from 2 sets to 0 up... Twice!

 

How come a right-handed player who's 0-18 against Nadal can even have an argument for having the best backhand?

I also don't think there's a very big difference when it comes to mental strength. Gasquet managed to lose against pre-prime Murray from 2 sets to 0 up... Twice!

Best one-handed backhand I meant. And yeah I think so. The overall results tell more about his overall game, nothing to do with his BH. His struggle against Nadal is more about his court positioning than his backhand.

 

Gasquet's BH is better, but aren't Musetti's FH, serve, and movement superior? I agree Richard's BH wasn't as easy to break down as other OHBHs, but he had limitations that kept him not only far behind Big 3 but also several others.

 

Fun fact: Washed-up Gasquet won the same number of games as prime Musetti against Sinner (and Sinner was arguably in higher form at FO than at USO this year)

 

Gasquet should of been the greatest ever. Showed innate ability, with the backhand, never seen before or since.

But never improved his all round game. But had an ability never seen before or since. His raw ability, with the hardest shot in the game, was freakish.

His deftness of touch on the backhand, understanding of it, playing it blind and on feel, is one of the most incredible and freakish things in any sport ever.

People who talk about the Federer and Wawrinka backhand, compared to Gasquet, don't have a clue. They literally used their left hand to line the shot up.

Gasquet played it with his eyes closed. That's the difference. Didn't need to gauge it, could play it blind on pure feel and instinct.

The Gasquet backhand one of the most freakish and incredible things sport has ever seen!