Richard Gasquet, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?
- By Elizabeth Sy
- Paris
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According to a well-placed source, Richard Gasquet is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the tennis player's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.
UPDATE 10/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Why not Gasquet for Person of the Year?
The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 39-year-old tennis player, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.
“What makes Gasquet so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the tennis player have already been named ‘French Of The Year’ by some major French newspapers and even ‘Béziers Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Béziers (Richard Gasquet's hometown).
Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year
A representative for the tennis player was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:
“#GasquetPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn't have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 9 Jan 2026
“Congrats! Richard has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 9 Jan 2026
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Richard Gasquet?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 9 Jan 2026
Could 2026 officially be the Year of Richard Gasquet?
Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2026 Person of the Year.
Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2026?
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