ITF

217 Richard Gasquet I t's always in my mind. Winning a medal is a huge feeling. I remember the day before the match when with Julien we had seen Jo and Mika [Llodra and Tsonga] winning the silver medal after an incredible match and so we were waiting to win one, too. It was fabulous to be able to have two French teams on the podium. We were all four together, having a great time. We played on Court No. 1 in Wimbledon but above all I remember the medal ceremony right after on Centre Court... I remember the speeches: they were in French because it's the Olympic language. We were there, along with Jo and Mika, on the podium, in the middle of Centre Court. Wimbledon and the Olympics at the same time was a nice combination. Things couldn't have been better. The day before the [bronze] match wasn't an easy one at all. But it could have been even harder because we were that close to being in the position to play against Jo and Mika. Me and Bennet had so many expectations, we were under stress. We absolutely wanted to win the match for the bronze medal: nobody wants to finish fourth and be fooled. Bennet helped me a lot the day before and even during the first set of the match, he was a really good talker. And he played very well right from the beginning; he was solid which helped me a lot. It's something totally different and special. It's a great experience. Being able to win an Olympic medal in tennis is very tough. And that's why it was so beautiful. I'm very proud. Personally, but also for French tennis. It was a totally different experience. First of all because – at least at the beginning – we stayed at the Olympic Village. I remember a big dining hall where everybody was having meals, the buildings where we were sleeping, athletes everywhere, action happening everywhere... It was crazy in terms of organization! I was impressed by the basketball players, they got recognised a lot, especially the French and the American teams because there were a few guys playing in the NBA. But even for the sports I was not so much into I was impressed: there was such a crowd everywhere. My medal is in the South of France, in my family house. I don't think people view me differently now. I just take this whole experience as a moment for me, something very personal, and what other people think or say is not much of a problem. It's not what really matters. Wimbledon and the Olympics at the same time was a nice combination. Things couldn't have been better. LONDON 2012 MEN'S DOUBLES BRONZE Richard Gasquet

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