Gasquet, Mannarino, and Goffin Discuss Their Matches Against Federer: "When Roger Is On, He Plays Alone"

By Jules Hypolite

le 29/03/2025 à 18h42

Federer Gasquet Goffin Mannarino

Richard Gasquet, Adrian Mannarino, and David Goffin were brought together at the same table in the latest episode of the UTS talk show.

The three players shared their thoughts on facing one of the game's legends, Roger Federer.

Mannarino: "Once, Gilles Simon told me: 'Against Roger, I don’t try to start the match well because that’s when he plays his best.' The first three games, you blink, and you’re already down 3-0. You forget about winning."

Gasquet: "In the locker room, you see Roger, he’s there, relaxed, talking with his coach. He’s in the zone. You start warming up, he’s playing in slow motion, barely moving. And then on the first point, he destroys you."

Mannarino: "He strings points together, and you feel like you’re annoying him. You start running to get to the next point just to hit a winner (laughs)."

Gasquet: "3-0 in ten minutes. Then he lets you take a game or two, so it’s 3-1, 4-2… You think: 'Okay, not bad.' But in the end, it’s 6-2, 6-3, and it’s like nothing even happened."

Goffin: "He controls everything. When Roger is on, you’re not playing. He plays alone."