Noah Coaching Countryman Gasquet in Tennis Return

Richard Gasquet has tapped French countryman Yannick Noah for coaching help.

Gasquet reached the semifinals at Wimbledon with a comeback victory over Andy Roddick, but has since then slumped. His low point came at the US Open when he withdrew from the tournament citing what critics called a minor ailment.

Noah told Le Monde newspaper, "Whether it's a youngster from La Courneuve (a Paris suburb) or Richard Gasquet if I can help, I will. There's a real negativity around this kid who's in the process of becoming a man."

Noah says the two have already spent some time together and he is still in the note-taking phase.

"Up to last week I didn't know Richard very well. I listened to him, I took notes, I've seen how he works. It's a start," Noah said. "In particular I've read all that was written about him at the US Open. We'll see what we can do together given my busy schedule. But it gives me a great deal of pleasure to return to the world of sport."