After a false start last week in Bucharest, French veteran Richard Gasquet is poised to join a select ATP Tour club Thursday at the Mutua Madrid Open when he steps on court to play his 1,000th match against Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round.

The 37-year-old will join Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco (who has not played since last September) as the only active players to reach the milestone. Britain’s Andy Murray, who is currently sidelined following an ankle injury in Miami, has played 996 matches (738-258 win-loss record).

Gasquet was expected to play his 1,000th match last week in Bucharest but he withdrew ahead of his opening match at the ATP 250. This week he needed to win two qualifying matches (which are not counted as tour-level matches) for the opportunity to check off the milestone. 

A winner of 16 ATP Tour titles, Gasquet’s longevity has stood the test of time and eras... as has his signature, flowing one-handed backhand.

Flashback 22 years and the Frenchman was just a 15 year old bursting onto the scene, becoming the youngest player to win an ATP Masters 1000 match in Monte-Carlo in 2002.

Active players to compete in 1,000 ATP Tour-level matches

*Will play 1,000 match Thursday in Madrid

Last June, Gasquet celebrated his 600th tour-level win. No Frenchman has earned more victories in the Open Era.