Richard reached the quarters in Monte Carlo. After a first round bye, he beat his compatriote Benoit Paire 6-1 3-6 6-1. His next victim was the Croate Marin Cilic who suffered a 5-7 4-6 loss. Richard himself lost to Fabio Fognini 6-7 2-6.His next tournament will be Madrid.
Having been on site and having watched almost all his practises and warm-ups and all of his matches, it was obvious that he was not 100 percent throughout the week. My impression was more one of general exhaustion than a specific physical problem. Richard's retirement from Barcelona seems to support this idea.
It has become more difficult to approach Richard as he is now a Top Ten player and therefore a target for autograph and picture hunters. But I felt nicely rewarded when I expressed my support, both by his entourage and by himself.
