Richard Gasquet and padel is first and foremost a story about enjoyment rather than a genuine sporting career change. Appearing at the HEAD Padel Tennis Paris 2026 event at Forest Hill Marnes-la-Coquette, the former world No. 7 embraced both the tennis exhibition and his time on the padel court, in an atmosphere focused more on sharing the experience than on performance.
The Frenchman from Béziers took part in both days of the event. After the tennis show, he also competed in a padel exhibition on Sunday, displaying the same relaxed attitude and the same desire to entertain a crowd that had come for both the famous names and the spectacle.
From tennis entertainment to padel enjoyment
Gasquet is one of those players whose touch is immediately apparent, whatever the surface. On a padel court, his backhand, hand skills and understanding of trajectories become natural assets, even though the sport requires a different set of instincts: accepting the rebounds off the glass, managing positioning as a pair and remaining patient instead of constantly searching for the perfect shot.
His appearance on a padel court was therefore far from insignificant. It illustrates how former tennis players can approach the sport through enjoyment rather than performance. Gasquet has previously spoken about his appreciation for padel, even though golf continues to hold a special place in his post-career plans. At Marnes-la-Coquette, the main interest was not in assessing his level, but in seeing how his tennis skills could adapt to the rules and demands of the 20-by-10-metre court.
A useful bridge to a wider audience
Gasquet’s presence at this type of event also carries significant media value. For spectators coming from tennis, seeing a player so closely associated with French racket-sport culture enjoying himself on a padel court makes the discipline feel more accessible. The message is simple: players can discover padel without turning their backs on their tennis background, but they must be willing to learn a new game.
This bridge is also valuable for clubs. Many newcomers arrive with habits developed in tennis: hitting directly, relying on power and trying to finish points too quickly. Padel rewards patience, the use of the glass and a strong connection with a partner. When a player such as Gasquet embraces that approach, even in an exhibition, he helps make the transition appear more natural.
A name that continues to attract attention
The HEAD Padel Tennis Paris 2026 event follows this hybrid format, combining competition, entertainment and a premium gathering centred on racket sports. The presence of figures such as Gasquet gives the event additional appeal without reducing padel to a simple tool for attracting spectators.
For French padel, the image is an interesting one: a tennis champion can step onto the court, smile, interact with the crowd, occasionally miss a shot, often produce a moment of quality and remind everyone that the sport is also built around this promise. One court, four players, a racket and enough action for enjoyment to quickly take over.
