Dominic Thiem and Richard Gasquet both enjoyed legendary tennis careers before retiring recently.
Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem reached a career-high ranking of number three in the world and became a major champion when he won the 2020 US Open.
Unfortunately for Thiem, he was unable to push on towards further Grand Slam success as injuries hampered his progress from there on.
Unable to overcome his wrist issues, Thiem retired from tennis at the 2024 Vienna Open, bringing his 13-year career to an end.
Photo by GEORG HOCHMUTH/APA/AFP via Getty Images
Thiem was joined in retirement by French legend Richard Gasquet earlier this year, who called it quits after his 22nd Roland Garros appearance.
However, just months after both players retired, they are set for a return to tennis at a one-of-a-kind exhibition event in Spain.
Dominic Thiem and Richard Gasquet set for tennis return on sand
Thiem and Gasquet have been named in the eight-man lineup for the 2025 Torneo Tenis Playa.
The pair will be joined by several notable ATP stars, including Benoit Paire and Bernabe Zapata Mirrales.
- Dominic Thiem
- Richard Gasquet
- Edas Butvilas
- Bernabe Zapata Mirrales
- Benoit Paire
- Pedro Cachin
- Miguel Avendano
- Bernardo Munk
The Torneo Tenis Playa is an event like no other, as it is played on the sandy beaches of Luanco, Spain.
Whilst fans of tennis have become used to seeing matches played on hard, clay, or grass courts, the same can’t be said about the sand.
The unique surface has been in place at the Torneo Tenis Playa for over 50 years, as the likes of Thiem and Gasquet look to add their names to the prestigious list of champions in 2025.
Torneo Tenis Playa champions since 2000
Thiem can join Juan Carlos Ferrero (2000, 2008) and Carlos Moya (1999) as the third former Grand Slam winner to have won the Torneo Tenis Playa should he emerge victorious in Luanco.
Last time out, it was Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman who picked up the win, defeating his countryman Pedro Cachin in the final.
Only time will tell who will be crowned the victor this time around, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for when the tournament begins on Monday, August 4.
Dominic Thiem and Richard Gasquet’s head-to-head record
Thiem and Gasquet will head to Luanco as the two biggest names in the draw, but how did they fare against one another on the ATP Tour?
They played six matches in total, between 2015 and 2024, and shared three wins apiece.
Dominic Thiem and Richard Gasquet’s head-to-head record
If they were to face off in the tournament, Gasquet would likely take to the court as a slight favorite, having played more recently than Thiem, without the same injury struggles.
Several other players could make a run in Luanco, however, including 2023 champion Edas Butvilas and 2024 runner-up Cachin.
Both players know their way around the sand, and that could prove to be valuable against ATP stars with less ‘beach tennis’ experience.
ATP veterans Paire and Zapata Mirrales will also be in the mix, as will the two Spanish stars Miguel Avendano and Bernardo Munk.
20-year-old Avendano knows the Torneo Tenis Playa better than anyone else in the field, as his father, Juan Avendano, is the most successful player in tournament history, winning the event on nine occasions.
- Juan Avendano won the 1974 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1975 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1976 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1977 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1979 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1980 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1981 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1983 Torneo Tenis Playa
- Juan Avendano won the 1984 Torneo Tenis Playa
Avendano’s fellow Spaniard, Munk, will be another to watch out for as he continues to make progress on the ITF tour.
The event is definitely unique, but if you haven’t watched the Torneo Tenis Playa before, it might just be worth a try in 2025.