Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Petsonga - w kwietniu skończył 23 lata. Jest synem nauczyciela chemii z Le Mans. Ojciec Didier Tsonga urodził się w Kongo, był dobrym piłkarzem ręcznym, grał w afrykańskiej reprezentacji. Po mamie Evelyne, rodowitej Francuzce, Jo-Wilfried ma jasny odcień skóry. Jak chętnie podkreślają Francuzi, oprócz naturalnej swobody bycia także to łączy go ze sławnym Yannickiem Noahem. Koledzy nazywają go Muhammad Ali, bo czasem przypomina słynnego boksera. Głównie fryzurą.
Państwo Tsonga mają jeszcze młodszego syna Enzo, ednego z najzdolniejszych młodych francuskich koszykarzy. Poza przekazaniem sportowych genów, dali Jo-Wilfriedowi rakietę do ręki (pierwsze piłki odbijał z ojcem), zapisywali do lokalnych klubów, i nauczyli dobrych manier - również na korcie.
Dla wielkiego sportu znaleźli go wyszukiwacze talentów z francuskiej federacji. Zaprosili w 2002 roku do Paryża, zapisali do Narodowego Centrum Szkoleniowego Roland Garros. Tu spotkał swojego obecnego trenera Erica Winogradsky’ego. Jo-Wilfried miał z innymi wybrańcami zastąpić ustępujące pokolenie dojrzałych mistrzów: Arnaud Clementa, Fabrice’a Santoro i Sebastiena Grosjeana. Trenował z Gaelem Monfilsem i Richardem Gasquetem. Już po nich trzech widać, że program szkoleniowy francuskich działaczy się sprawdził.
Międzynarodowa kariera Tsongi zaczęła się od błyskotliwych zwycięstw juniorskich. Najważniejszym był wygrany finał US Open 2003 z Marcosem Baghdatisem. W pozostałych turniejach wielkoszlemowych awansował w tamtym sezonie do półfinału. W rankingu młodych tenisistów był drugi na świecie. Tą karierą nie cieszył się długo. Przez ponad dwa lata, do 2006 roku, męczył się z kontuzjami kręgosłupa, barku i kolan. Brał zastrzyki z kortyzonu i usiłował trenować. Zaczął już nawet myśleć o końcu gry w tenisa. Życie biegło między kortami i gabinetami lekarskimi, wycofał się z czterech na dziesięć turniejów, w których wystartował w 2005 roku. Trenerzy przekonali go, by się nie poddawał, a Winogradsky przeprowadził bezpiecznie przez cykl treningów wzmacniających fizycznie. Kontuzje minęły. W lecie 2007 roku Tsonga wygrał swój ósmy challenger w karierze (czwarty w sezonie), dotarł do czwartej rundy Wimbledonu, ale w finale singla turnieju ATP nigdy wcześniej nie był. Zaczął od Wielkiego Szlema w Melbourne.
Państwo - Francja
Miejsce zamieszkania - Le Mans
Data urodzenia - 17 kwietnia 1985
Miejsce urodzenia - Le Mans
Wzrost - 187 cm
Waga - 90 kg
Gra - praworęczna
Status profesjonalny - 2004
Trener - Eric Winogradsky
Gra pojedyncza:
Wygrane turnieje - 0
Najwyżej w rankingu - 11 (26 maja 2008)
Australian Open - F (2008)
Roland Garros - 1R (2005)
Wimbledon - 4R (2007)
US Open 3R (2007)
Gra podwójna:
Wygrane turnieje - 0
Najwyżej w rankingu - 89 (styczeń 2008)
Człowiek, któremu tenis sprawia niesamowitą radość ;]. Podobnie jak oglądanie jego gry wieeelu kibicom,a przynajmniej mnie (mój nr 2 po Federerze). Mam nadzieję, że wielka kariera przed nim.
Allez JO!
Podobnie jak Barty uwielbiam patrzeć na grę Jo. Przynajmniej kiedy jest w formie, jak choćby w Melbourne.
Nieprawdopodobna łatwość zagrań i swoboda uderzeń. Niestety jest to zawodnik bardzo kontuzjogenny i boję się, że zahamuje mu to karierę, a wręcz ją skróci. Ten jeden finał WS to wielkie osiągniecie, ale patrząc przez pryzmat umiejętności Tsongi, to "zaledwie" 1 finał.
Gracz bardzo sympatyczny, robiący wielkie show z każdego swojego meczu, przyjemnie się ogląda Go w akcji, oby jak najczęściej.
Tenis Jo Williego to tenis który najbardziej lubię oglądać. Niezwykle widowiskowa gra z najwyższej półki, ale w związku z niebywałą agresywnością w grze ma bardzo dużo kontuzji i często musi pauzować.
Allez!!!
28.09.2008 - Jo - Wilfried Tsonga Mistrzem ATP Bangkok 2008
1r Bye
2r Dlouhy 7-6 3-6 7-6
Qf Melzer 6-3 6-2
Sf Monfils 6-0 6-3
F Djoković 7-6 6-4
To 1 turniejowy sukces Jo w zawodowej, seniorskiej karierze ATP.
Brawo !
7/6 6/4,Dun ;-)
Tsonga nie grał jeszcze tak jak on z najlepszych pojedynków podczas Australian Open.
Poprawione Staty, pisałem z głowy i mi się poprzestawiało trochę ;)
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http://www.menstennisforums.com/showthread.php?t=136421
Tsonga jest zdrowy i głodny gry - na pewno zagra w Melbourne :)
O jak dobrze usłyszeć taką informację... Bardzo się cieszę z tego powodu :) Bałem się o niego. nie o to, że nie zagra w AO, tylko o jego zdrowie i formę... Ale teraz widzę, w pełni zdrow chłopak, także do boju Jo!!!
2. Paryż 2009
1/32 BYE
1/16 Stepanek, Radek (CZE) 3-6 6-4 6-4
1/8 Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 6-4 1-6 6-3
1/4 Roddick, Andy (USA) 5-7 6-4 7-6(5) (kapitalny przekręt)
1/2 Blake, James (USA) 6-4 6-3
F Nalbandian, David (ARG) 6-3 4-6 6-4
3. Johannesburg 2009
R32 Alves, Thiago (BRA) 6-4 6-1
R16 Istomin, Denis (UZB) 6-1 6-4
Q Vliegen, Kristof (BEL) 6-4 6-1
S Gil, Frederico (POR) 6-3 6-4
W Chardy, Jeremy (FRA) 6-4 7-6(5) 
Tsonga w magazynie DEUCE:
http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/5/en … tsonga.asp
4. Marseille 2009
R32 Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 7/6 6/2
R16 Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6/3 6/2
Q Feliciano Lopez (ESP, 8) 6/2 6/7 6/4
S Novak Djokovic (SRB, 1) 6/4 7/6
F Michaël Llodra (FRA) 7/5 7/6
Jeden z graczy na których patrzy się z wielką przyjemnością, prawdziwy showman, tylko za mało wartościowych wyników i za dużo kontuzji, jednak zawsze z przyjemnośćią patrzę na mecze Tsongi, ciekawostką jest że nigdy w karierze nie grał 5-setówki
#5)Tokio 2009
R32 M.Zverev 6/4 6/3
R16 R.Gasquet 4/6 6/2 6/2
QF E.Gulbis 4/6 6/4 6/3
SF G.Monfils(4) 6/3 6/3
W M.Youzhny 6/3 6/3
Spokojnie, pomalutku zbiera te turniejowe skalpy Jo. Dokładnie 5 w 12 miesięcy. Dobry wynik :)
Tsonga będzie pił i tańczył po wygranej w Tokio
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga nie dał żadnych szans Rosjaninowi Michaiłowi Jużnemu w finałowym meczu turnieju w Tokio i pewnie zwyciężył 6:3, 6:3. Było to trzeci triumf Francuza w tym roku.
Zajmujący 7. miejsce w rankingu ATP, rozstawiony z "dwójką" Tsonga, od początku uzyskał przewagę. W ósmym gemie zdołał przełamać rywala, a pierwszy set zakończył potężnym uderzeniem, po którym piłka poleciała z prędkością 201 km na godzinę. Jużny nie potrafił znaleźć żadnej odpowiedzi na niezwykle mocne i precyzyjne zagrania rywala.
Wydawało się, że w drugim secie Francuz będzie miał większe problemy, ale po tym jak przełamał przeciwnika przy stanie 4-3 nie pozwolił mu na zdobycie kolejnego gema.
- Nie wiem jak wytłumaczyć to, że grałem tak dobrze w najważniejszych momentach - przyznał szczerze Tsonga, dla którego zwycięstwo w Tokio było trzecim tegorocznym triumfem. Dzięki wygranej francuski tenisista jest coraz pewniejszy występu, podczas kończących sezon zawodów w Londynie, na których zaprezentuje się czołowa 8. rankingu ATP.
- Nie mogę powiedzieć, że grałem źle. On po prostu był dla mnie za dobry - wyznał pokonany Rosjanin. - Serwował fenomenalnie. Nie miałem szans by go przełamać - dodał Jużny, który w przeszłości czterokrotnie triumfował w turniejach ATP.
Tsonga nie będzie spał w samolocie do Szanghaju. - Będę świętował przy pomocy piwa i może trochę potańczę - powiedział triumfator, który za zwycięstwo zarobił 300 tysięcy dolarów.
eurosport.pl
A co należy mu się :D:D:D
powiedział triumfator, który za zwycięstwo zarobił 300 tysięcy dolarów.
zarobił 300 000, a nie 500 000? Chyba coś im się pomyliło. Francuz zgarnął pół miliona !!!
metjuAR napisał:
zarobił 300 000, a nie 500 000? Chyba coś im się pomyliło. Francuz zgarnął pół miliona !!!
Dobrze napisali Jo zgranął 300 tys, w Pekinie główną nagrodą było 500 tys
Wywiad dla niemieckiego magazynu tenioswego:
In 2008 he stormed onto the ATP tour like a tsunami. This year he has established himself as one of the best players. In this interview he talks about his popularity, his african roots and his first name.
Monsieur Tsonga, around the world you have fans cheering for you. What is your secret?
There is no secret. I am who I am. I think that people like me because of the way I play and because I show my feelings. I am athletic. When I hit a smash I jump as high as a basketbal player. The public likes that.
Do you see yourself as a showman?
No. I am not pretending. It’s just fun to play the way I play and I will never change the way I play. The problem is that sometimes my thoughts aren’t on the court. I lose my concentration- and a match could be gone.
Do you throw matches away?
Yes it happens. For me it’s important to feel good. I need to feel the public. I need the energy of the fans. When the atmosphere is lacking, I think to myself: what am I playing for? For nothing! I’d rather have the audience against me than an audience that doesn’t care.
Are you moody? (as in like moodswings)
(smiles) Yes, a little. I need good vibes, for inspiration. Tennis is a fight. When everything is right, I become an animal on court. Then my second ‘me’ comes out.
Does that mean that offcourt you are less extrovert?
I am calmer, I don’t like to be in the center of attention. I appreciate the small things in life: to be outside in nature, catching fish. I used to go fishing a lot, but I don’t have the time anymore. Now I go fishing maybe ten times a year.
I heard you like to cook?
Yes I do. Desserts are my specialty, especially tiramisu.
You are one of the stars on Tour. What differs you from Federer and Nadal?
A lot. Everybody has a different way to success. Federer mixes up his game perfectly, Nadal tries to tire his opponent out. Djokovic, Murray and Del Potro also have a different style. There is a lot of diversity. It’s so much fun to play in this era.
And you are playing the part of an artist?
I like all aspects of the game: the athleticism, the fighting, the beauty of the game. Most of all the enthusiasm. For example, Younes El Aynaoui, one of my favourite players. He had no backhand, he constantly hits forhands, goes to the net, volleys, smashes and yells “aarggh”: that’s entertainment!
When you win, you jump around the court and point at your back with your hands, like a soccer player after he’s scored a goal. What does this mean?
The first time I did that was when I beat Lleyton Hewitt at Queens two years ago. Because I won that match I entered the top 100. Since then it’s my lucky dance, my trademark. I celebrate with it after all my victories.
Do you think your fans expected more of you after your AO final in 2008?
Yeah but it makes sense that people would have expectations. I haven’t played that well ever since. I was unbelievably fast, punchy and fierce.
Rafael Nadal, whom you beat in the semi final, said: I had no chance to stop somebody playing at this level.
Everything fitted perfectly. I felt like in a videogame: everything I wanted to do, I could pull off. I was in complete controle.
After that you had a lot of injuries: Shoulder, back, abdomen and because of a kneeinjury you missed 6 months of last season. Did you play too much?
No, injuries are part of the life of a tennisplayer. You have to deal with it. But this period wasn’t that bad. I’ve watched matches from fellow players and I’ve learned from them. I’ve learned how you can train more effectively. Mentally I’ve become stronger. My dad used to say to me: Tennis is like life, you have to fight. Nothing comes naturally. You have to invest a lot, to succeed.
What else has your father taught you?
That you always have to repect your opponent. And yourself.
Is your body more prone to injuries than others?
I don’t believe so.
Could it be that your style of play is too risky?
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
You remind us of your countryman Yannick Noah.
A lot of people say that. I know Yannick well. When people compare me to him, it flatters me ofcourse. When I was younger he trained with me a few times. He gave me advice.
Also, you are always compared with Muhammed Ali. Does that annoy you?
To be honest, I don’t really care anymore. Sure it’s great to be compared to one of the greatest athletes ever, but you come to a point where you don’t want to be like somebody else.
Have you seen Alis fights?
Yes ofcourse. I’ve seen several DVDs. My dad was at his famous fight in Kinshasa between him and George Foreman. He hasn’t told me a lot about it, I should ask him about it.
Last year you visited your grandfather for the first time in Brazzaville. What does Africa mean to you?
It’s a part of me. That’s where my roots are. When I was there, I flew in the presidents private jet. We ate and fished together. But to be honest, that wasn’t important to me. The most important thing was that I could meet my grandfather. He lives in a hut. I could have bought him a house, but he doesn’t want me to. When I saw him, I understood who I am and where I am from.
Your mother is French. Do you feel African or French?
its not like a feel a certain percent french, or a certain percent african. Africa is part of my personality. When I won Johannesburg in the beginning of the year, the feeling was amazing. The armosphere, the fans who were cheering- it was amazing. But when I’m playing Davis Cup for France, I also have a lot of emotions. I am a patriot.
In 2009 you won 2 tournaments, but in GSs you've never passed QFs. Are you happy with that?
Some things were okay, others were not. My defeat at Wimbledon, in the third round against Karlovic, where I lost in 4 tight sets, was difficult. But I have to accept something like that. In Montreal was the first time that I beat Federer, eventhough he was up 5-1 in the final set. In those cases I know I am not far from the top.
You still haven’t won the big title. Which Grand Slam tournament do you want to win the most?
All of them. Melbourne, because it means I have a great start of the season. Roland Garros, because it’s a home game. Wimbledon because of the tradition. And the US Open because I like the United States and also because I won that tournament as a junior.
Could you tell us what you have spent your price money on?
A house near Genf, where I live. That’s it.
You don’t live in Le Mans anymore?
No, but I am there a lot. Le Mans is still my favourite soccer team in the french competition. My brother Enzo has played basketball for Le Mans, one of the best teams in the competition.
Le Mans is also known for its 24-hours race.
I definitely want to go and see it next year.
One last question: Tell us how you got your first name. It sounds a bit german!
I know, but it’s not a reference to Germany. Originally my parents wanted to call me Jonathan, but right before I was born friends of my parents also named their newborn Jonathan. So two days before I was born, they had to find another name. They wanted to keep the first part ‘Jo’. They went through a calender to find names that they could combine with Jo. And they found Jo-Wilfried.
Dużo ciekawostek o Johnatanie Wilfredzie :D
asiek napisał:
Dużo ciekawostek o Johnatanie Wilfredzie :D
Jonathan Wilfried :D
27.10.2009-"100"zwycięstw Tsongi w turniejach ATP
Jo-Wilfried pokonując w 1 rundzie turnieju w Lyonie K.Kima 7:6,7:6 odniósł swoje setne zwycięstwo w turnieju ATP:) gratulacje :)
Guest blog: Winogradsky on Tsonga
In the second of our series of guest blogs, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's coach, Eric Winogradsky looks to give some insight into the character of the world number nine.
The Jo-Wilfried you see on the court and the one I know off it don't really have an awful lot in common.
Off the court Jo is cool and composed and a great person to be around. But that doesn't mean to say that he doesn't know what he wants.
Before a big match or when he's trying to win a title he has this ability to get in the "zone" as they say in sport at the highest level these days. He needs that adrenalin rush when he's playing just as much as he needs peace and quiet when he's not. And he's not someone who beats himself up about things.
When we started working together he wasn't able to separate his everyday life from his tennis so we needed a little bit of time to get the blend right. All that was because he thought he was in the elite when his ranking said something else. He was just moping around at these minor tournaments he was playing in.
So when we went back to square one I was finally able to see the real Jo. He's someone who can do fantastic things on the court and in everyday life, a very laid-back and loyal person who attaches a lot of importance to values like friendship and loyalty, values that his parents instilled in him.
Jo has very fixed ideas about what he needs to do to keep on progressing. And so, like any couple, we have our disagreements. Most of the time, and this is something that I feel is very important, I prefer us to discuss things rather than have a fight about it, and that's something he appreciates too.
He likes having a good argument but not a fight, and when he comes round to your point of view he's prepared to give something a try, once at least. In any case I think it's good to have convictions and to stand up for them. But when you're wrong about something, you have to be intelligent enough to admit it. And that's the case with Jo.
He's always been very mature. He used to see himself as a champion before he actually became one, and you might have thought that he was big-headed. He wasn't though. And he quickly showed everyone that he really did have the potential to break into the elite group of players at the top.
There's one little story that illustrates all that. We were in Beijing in 2004 and Jo had just qualified for an ATP tournament for the first time. Then, in the first round he gets drawn against the number one seed Carlos Moya. I was a bit disappointed about the draw because I could see him getting through a few rounds against other opponents. But Moya was the world number six at the time.
Even so, Jo just said to me, "Too bad for Carlos Moya". And though he was ranked 209 on the Tour, he went out and beat him. So there you go, that's Jo for you.
Tekst autorstwa rozsławionego na naszym forum Simona Reeda. :D
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/tennis/si … ticle/642/
Sezon 2009 w liczbach
Ranking: 10
Tytuły: 2
Finały: 0
Bilans spotkań: 53-20
Zarobki: $1,643,552
AO - 1/4
RG - 4 Runda(1/8)
WM - 3 Runda
US - 4 Runda(1/8)
Krótki wywiad z Jo po I rundzie AO:
Q. How did you feel today?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I feel great. I did a great job. I just win, and it's what I need. That's it. (Smiling).
One more. One more.
Q. Do you feel you will be successful like 2008?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, you know, I feel healthy. I'm good on the court. I don't know if it will be the same, but I try to take every match one by one. That's it.
Q. I don't think we know yet who you play next, do we?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: We don't know yet.
Q. Do you have a preference on either?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Fognini.
Q. Why?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Because he's not really offensive, so it's better because I don't have to run when the player in front of me is not offensive.
Q. So you're hoping for an easy match for round two?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course. If I can have easy match all day, it's good.
Tsonga maintains the rage
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has continued his love affair with Melbourne Park, reaching the round of 16 at Australian Open 2010 after downing German Tommy Haas in their third-round clash on Saturday.
The two-and-a-half hour match featured lethal Tsonga serving and stinging baseline winners from Haas, but the Frenchman was too good, winning 6-4 3-6 6-1 7-5.
Tennis fans were treated to a classy display of skills in the first set, with both players in hot form from the outset. Haas’ backhand, which eluded him at times in his previous match, was on song early, while Tsonga’s net play and fast serving delighted the crowd.
Games went on serve until the crucial ninth game, the longest of the match to that stage. Two unforced errors from Haas had him in trouble early, but the German fought back to 30-30. Haas tried to be positive by advancing to the net, but was passed twice by the Frenchman, who was starting to find his groove.
Haas saved one break point and then attempted to catch Tsonga off-guard with a drop shot on the next, but Tsonga was equal to the task as he ran the shot down. Haas tried a lob, but Tsonga smashed with authority.
If the fans thought that point was good, the next was even better. After a long rally, where both players scampered from each side of the court to the other, a Haas forehand clipped the net cord and left Tsonga completely out of position. Lifting his racquet up with a jolt, Tsonga reacted quickly and miraculously volleyed the ball back cross-court. Haas ran the ball down but sent a forehand sailing long, and the set was Tsonga’s.
In the second, Haas threatened to break in the sixth game, but two Tsonga aces when he was break point down and then a strong forehand on game point ensured the set stayed on serve. Haas was rewarded for his persistence with two breaks late in the set, which he eventually took 6-4.
The German called for the trainer before the third set started, his right knee and back causing some trouble. Tsonga seized the opportunity and sealed the set with a sizzling off-forehand, taking it 6-1 in just over half an hour.
The momentum stayed with Tsonga early in the fourth set, as he held serve easily while Haas faced and saved break points on his second service game.
The tide began to change when Haas snatched a break by flicking an acute forehand crosscourt winner after sprinting to reach a Tsonga volley that clipped the singles sideline. Almost unbelievably, Tsonga returned the favour on break point later in the set when he retrieved a Haas drop shot and also flicked a forehand right past the German.
Three unforced errors by Haas when the scores were level at 5-5 all but handed the set and the match to Tsonga. The Frenchman held to love when serving for the set, winning in four and keeping up his record of never playing a five-set match in any of his 10 Grand Slam appearances.
The No. 10 seed now sets up a round of 16 match-up with No. 26 seed Nicolas Almagro after the Spaniard beat Colombian Alejandro Falla in straight sets earlier in the day.
Fast facts
- Tsonga served more than double the amount of aces than Haas (20-9).
- Haas had more baseline winners than Tsonga, but also committed more unforced errors (38-29).
- Tsonga’s fastest serve was 217km/h.
ao.com
Wywiad po meczu 4 rundy AO10:
An interview with:
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. How did you enjoy your first five‑set match?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Good. It was good. Good to win in five sets, first time for me. You know, like tennis ‑‑ when you win your first five‑set match, you're happy.
Q. You won the first two sets. What happened after that? Did he play better?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: After that, I missed some occasion, and after that, he begin to believe in himself, you know.
He played just unbelievable, and it was just tough, you know, to play against him at this moment because he hit the ball very hard, and it was tough.
Q. What was going through your mind when you started the fifth set? Did you feel good?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Cool, I will play a fifth‑set match. Yeah.
Q. Djokovic is next.
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, Djokovic is next, and I have to recover and I will be ‑‑ I think I will be ready for that.
Q. What is your game plan against him?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Against him, stay aggressive, very aggressive, and give everything. (Smiling.)
Q. What do you feel you've learned since the 2008 final against Djokovic?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: What I learned, I don't know. But I beat him four times, I think, since this moment. So I learned to beat. (Laughter.)
Q. You don't have any fears going into this match?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, I don't have. It's a tennis match, and like I say every time, I will do my best and we will see.
Tsunami Tsonga bierze rewanż na byłym mistrzu
Dwa lata temu w finale Australian Open Djoković pokonał Tsongę w czterech setach. Teraz w pięciu zwycięzył Francuz 7:6 (8), 6:7 (5), 1:6, 6:3, 6:1 To był jeden z najlepszych meczów w turnieju. W półfinale Tsonga zagra z Federerem.
Mecz obfitował w mnóstwo zwrotów sytuacji. Jednak kluczowy moment nastapił na początku czwartego seta. Wtedy Djoković przegrywał 0:2 i nagle zszedł z kortu prosząc o pomoc medyczną. Tsonga spytał sędziego co się stało twierdząc, że Serb wcale nie wygląda na chorego. Wiedział bowiem dobrze o wydarzeniach z lat poprzednych kiedy Novak był posądzany o specjalne przerywanie spotkań, aby wystrącić rywali z równowagi.
Podczas US Open w 2008 roku doszło nawet do wielkiej kłótni, bo Andy Roddick posądził go, że ma chyba wszystkie choroby świata skoro co chwilę bierze przerwy medyczne. - Pamiętałem, że czasem mu się zdarzały rózne choroby, dlatego nie patrzyłem na Novaka, tylko grałem dalej na maksa - powiedział trochę ironicznie po meczu Tsonga.
Jednak tym razem chyba było coś na rzeczy, bo Djoković nie wrócił już do dobrej gry z pierwszych trzech setów. Okazało się, że miał problemy żołądkowe. W ofekcie nie podjął już walki przegrywając gładko dwie ostatnie partie.
Dla Tsongi to było dopiero druga pięciosetówka w karierze. Co ciekawe pierwszę rozegrał rundą wcześniej. - Jak chcecie mogę grać dalej. Może ktoś się ze mną zmierzy - żartował z publicznością. Jednak w półfinale żarty się skończą, bowiem zagra ze szwajcarskim mistrzem Rogerem Federerem.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Francja, 10) - Novak Đoković (Serbia, 3) 7:6(8), 6:7(5), 1:6, 6:3, 6:1
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beats Novak Djokovic in tense Australian Open battle
REVENGE was found by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Rod Laver Arena last night with the flamboyant Frenchman taking down Novak Djokovic, the man who beat him for the Australian Open title two years ago.
In an enthralling, and at times bizarre, quarter-final, the No.10 seed came back from two sets down in just the second five-set match of his career to continue his recent dominance of Djokovic, winning 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (5-7) 1-6 6-3 6-1 in a 3hr 52min marathon.
Tsonga will face No.1 seed Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
The pair have played twice, with the 24-year-old Frenchman winning the most recent meeting at last year's World Masters in three close sets.
The flow of the last night's match changed dramatically several times, but the biggest moment came just after Djokovic had won the third set.
The No.3 seed began repeatedly grabbing at his stomach and after two games of the fourth set he left the court to seek medical attention.
With word coming from his camp saying it was just an upset stomach, the Serbian returned to the court but was never the same player.
After virtually letting the fourth set go, Djokovic tried to rally in the fifth but the brilliant Tsonga was riding a wave of emotion and overwhelmed his arch-rival.
"I think I was just in good shape, maybe better than him," Tsonga said afterwards. "He played unbelievable in the second set, it was amazing the level how we played. But finally I won and I am happy with that."
Tsonga, who played his first five-set match in the previous round against Nicolas Almagro, came into last night's match having won four of the past five meetings with Djokovic since he was beaten at the 2008 Open.
The first set was a strange hour-long affair including four breaks of serve with Djokovic seemingly in control for most of it. At 5-4 he served for the set but a pair of double faults and then a dismal attempt at a smash put him under pressure.
Tsonga sensed Djokovic tightening and got the break back at his second attempt. In the tiebreak both players had set points on their opponent's serve before the Frenchman got a third chance which he didn't waste.
The second set centred around Djokovic losing his nerve when in a position of strength, this time when serving at 4-3. From no where he sent down consecutive double faults and proceeded to drop his serve without winning a point.
In the tiebreak he raced to a 3-0 lead before again giving away his advantage with yet another double-fault, his sixth of the match.
However, this time it was Tsonga who cracked with an unforced error handing Djokovic the set after an absorbing 57 minutes.
The points spread after the first two hours was even at 85 each.
That changed dramatically in the next 30 minutes with Tsonga losing his way badly, winning just one game.
But in keeping with the often bizarre nature of the contest, it was Djokovic who found himself in trouble at the start of the fourth set.
After conceding the opening game, the 22-year-old suddenly began grabbing his stomach. After dropping his serve, Djokovic immediately left the court to seek medical attention.
An upset stomach was the verdict and he made the decision to conserve energy during the fourth set, letting Tsonga race to a 5-0 lead before he started to come good again.
While he eventually lost it 6-3, Djokovic showed signs that he was at least ready for a fight.
Unfortunately he wasn't able to do much of that after having his opening service game of the fifth set broken. Earlier, a bewildered Nikolay Davydenko had no explanation for his loss to Federer.
Having stood on the brink of a massive Australian Open upset, the Russian collapsed bizarrely from a match-winning position in his quarter-final.
Down and almost out, Federer hauled himself off the canvas to win 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5 after Davydenko held a 3-1 lead in the second set.
Davydenko was blunt in his post-match analysis.
"Everything was s---," he said.
"I don't know what has happened at 3-1, second set. I just completely lost everything. I cannot explain what has happened."
Federer said he was relieved to have survived.
"(I) was in a tough situation at 6-2, 3-1 down and 15-40 on my serve," Federer said. "I knew I wasn't looking very good, you know.
"But that's the beauty of best-of- five sets. I wasn't panicking, even though I maybe would have lost the second set had I lost another point there at that stage."
Davydenko will long rue the missed regulation backhand which almost certainly cost him the second set.
Staring at a huge deficit, Federer traded on his unheralded resilience and pluck to reel off 13 games in a row as his opponent self-destructed.
The victory elevated Federer into a record 23rd successive grand slam semi-final, measure of the Swiss master's stunning consistency and excellence.
Davydenko's rollercoaster performance was perplexing.
For a set and a half he was untouchable, clubbing winners from all over the court.
He made Federer look inferior.
Federer appeared out of sorts and troubled. In the first set alone, he made 17 unforced errors.
Faced with the possibility of trailing by two service breaks in the second set, he sprang to life.
Suddenly, Federer's serve, forehand and movement clicked.
Suddenly, Davydenko began to miss. And once he had control of the match, Federer was never going to lose.
Tsonga dreams of major upset
It was almost 1.30am when the question was put to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga about his capacity to handle the occasion of a grand slam semi-final against the No.1 player in the world, so he could be forgiven a little dreaming. But the Frenchman knows his best hope against Roger Federer tonight is to truly believe, ''Why not indeed?''
Tsonga's progression to the last four was sealed with a second consecutive five-set win early yesterday, against Novak Djokovic. The 10th-seeded Frenchman had never played a five-setter in a grand slam. He is now two from two.
''What do I have to do? I have to play my best tennis,'' Tsonga said of what it will take to repeat his effort of two years ago by reaching the final.
He at least knows he has done it once; the pair has met just twice, but Tsonga rolled Federer in Montreal last year after trailing 1-5 in the deciding set.
''Yeah, of course I know I can do that, but it was completely different,'' Tsonga said. ''Now I have to win in three sets, and it's gonna be difficult, for sure.''
The notion of experience was something Tsonga had raised before taking on Djokovic, flagging that the Serb might have the edge in a department that can be so crucial at the sharp end of a grand slam event. After winning 7-6 (10-8), 6-7 (5-7), 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 he was able to reassess.
''You know, it's good to have experience, but for that you have to win, you have to play before, you know?'' he said. ''Roger has experience because he won, you know, like 15 or 16 grand slam. But he won the first one … so I think at this level you never know what's [going to] happen.''
Wywiad z Tsongą po przegranym meczu 1/2 finału AO10
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Were you fully fit tonight? You grabbed at your stomach a couple of times. Did your stomach give you problems?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no. I was just a bit more tired after the first set. And, yeah, it was tough to play against him today. He was really good, and that's it.
Q. Were you tired because of the previous two five‑setters you've had?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course. Yeah, because of my tournament, that's it.
Q. Federer was pretty awesome out there tonight, wasn't he?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, he was good. He was good.
Q. What did you think of his game?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: He took the ball earlier than me, and he was just better than me today.
Q. What did you learn from the game? Did you learn anything from it that you've got to do in the future?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I learned maybe I have to play better. That's it (smiling).
Q. Were you surprised by how good he was tonight?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, yeah, a bit.
Q. Why?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Why I'm surprise? I don't know. Because, you know, sometimes you play a guy and the guy play well, but not so good. And sometimes you play against him again and he play just unbelievable.
You know, each day is different, and today he was really good.
Q. Do you think you can play better against him next time?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Maybe. Certainly.
Q. How?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Maybe be more aggressive, yeah.
Q. What was wrong with your game tonight?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: What was wrong? My serve. I think I was at 50 or 55% of first serve. My speed serve also. And also I miss some volley at the beginning of the match, and after that was tough, no?
Q. Were you mentally exhausted, as well?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Not really.
Q. If Roger plays like that, do you think anyone can beat him?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I think nobody.
Q. What were your tactics before the game to try to counteract Roger?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: First to play, that's it, you know. Just enter in the match with offensive mind. That's it.
Q. What do you think Andy Murray could do to stop Roger Federer on Sunday?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know. I don't know.
Q. Do you have any advice for him?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Advice? Be ready to run maybe (smiling).
Q. How do you rank yourself now? You were a finalist two years ago. Are you a better player now?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know if I'm better, but I'm more consistent, for sure.
Q. So you're reasonably happy with this tournament, the way it went?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I mean, it's okay. I did a good tournament. I beat some good player. I played two five‑set match. It was the first time for me.
So it's more experience for me. I think it's good, even if I lose in semi. But next time I will try to do better.
Q. The Australian Open is your best Grand Slam. Why do you like playing here?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know. Maybe a bit the surface, and also because I played my best tournament here. It was also one of the first Grand Slam I played. Before 2009, I played only ‑‑ 2008, sorry ‑‑ I played only two, so that's it.
RG 2010 - Wywiad z Tsongą po wygranym meczu 2 rundy
Q. Are you not ashamed of what you did to your friend?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, no. I would have rather played somebody else and win this way, but it's the way it is. That's the tournament.
It's the way it is. However, I have to continue in the tournament.
Q. I felt your shots were really pure. You could hit strongly, and therefore he was immediately defeated due to the quality of your shots.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, this is part of my objectives for this match. I thought I have to start playing with a lot of intensity and I have to grab him at the throat. I didn't want him to do too much, and frankly, it was a good start from my side. I think this weighed a lot on the whole match.
Q. The conditions were different compared with the first day. It was heavier. Yet you were hitting the balls better.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes. When the weather is like this, it's not bad for me, either, because I have time enough to think about how I want to shoot the balls. When it's very warm, the ball flies a lot. You control it less and I hit very strongly, and therefore it's more difficult for me.
Now, this being said, this is it. I won in the sun but also when the weather conditions are heavier. I hope it will continue with each and every single match.
Q. Is it important to have a very short match compared with a long match? It's a good balance so that you have more time off.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes. Of course it's always a good thing not to stay too long on the court.
Well, today I think I could have played at least four or five hours, easily. But this is it. It's going to continue. Next time I will be ready to play four or five hours if necessary.
Q. Have you ever been thinking about the opponent when it was 0 and 1? Were you thinking about him, or did you feel like...
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no.
Q. Were you very focused and you thought you have to remain focused throughout?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes, throughout. I didn't even think about my opponent. No, when I was on the court, it was to play and win; that's all.
Q. I had the impression that when it was 2 0 and Love 40 on your serve, you hammered him. That's when there was a turnaround in the match. You killed him at that moment.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes. And after this I even played better, a notch up. I was back from this difficult situation, you know, and then I played even better, as I said, and this probably discouraged him for the first set.
Then I continued on the same tracks, and it was tougher for him.
Q. Do you think that psychologically the match was very important?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes. It counts a lot for this type of match. It's never easy to play against someone you like. Therefore, yes, psychology counts a lot on the final result.
Q. When you served, you were about to win the match, it started raining. Do you think about a possible interruption?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes, I thought I have to finish immediately before it starts raining, but then I didn't want to rush, because otherwise he could have broken back, because I was so much in a hurry, so this would get on my nerves and we're going to have to stop and start again after the rain. So, no, I took my time and I did the job I had to do.
Q. I read somewhere that you've been physically training, you were physically totally ready, you no longer have the backache. How do you feel? Do you have any aches at all? The fact that you rested before Roland Garros, wouldn't you say it was better because you feel fitter today?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, when I practiced and when I trained, I didn't think I would hurt my back, but at last I could take a rest. And I had played a lot with the American tournament and then a lot of matches on clay.
So for me, to rest for a while was probably something good. I could do something else. I was back to another type of life. After this, I had time enough to practice before Roland Garros. I took advantage of this. I think I'm totally fit.
Q. Next round you're going to play against Garcia Lopez or De Bakker. You lost to De Bakker in Barcelona, and also Garcia Lopez in Madrid. Okay, twice defeated. This can help you because you know what to expect.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes, I know what to expect, and I have a revenge to win. If it's one or the other, I have to play well, because both of them play well. De Bakker plays perhaps even better than Garcia Lopez.
I don't know who has won. Are they playing now or not? One set all, okay. I'd rather play against Garcia Lopez, probably, because De Bakker, I think he plays really well.
Now, as I said before, I have to take my revenge from both of them. When I'm on the court, I can tell you I'll be looking for it, to take my revenge. I'll fight on all the points.
Q. You said Sunday, so that's three days, it's no longer the Grand Slam type of pace. Was that a problem for you or not for you?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, the problem for me was to play on a Sunday. I didn't want to play on a Sunday. I had calculated everything to play on Monday or Tuesday, say, but the fact that I played on Sunday was a bit puzzling for me.
When I practiced, when I trained, it was supposed to be a day off normally. I was not supposed to play a match. So how can I say? I had not anticipated this. I was not really physically well or fit on Sunday.
But then, you know, it's also positive because I played five sets, so I could practice even longer, and everything fell nicely into place and I feel really good today.
Q. Do you have the impression that there's loads of expectations on you this year, or if you look at Aravane's results or Gaël played semis and quarterfinals in the past two years, that people are waiting for you, but they're waiting for other French players and therefore you have more freedom?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes, of course. In any case, I've never played the finals here. I've never won, either.
So I'm far from being the best player here with the best results, so it's quite normal for me not to be the player in which people have the best expectations.
I'm French No. 1, okay, but no big deal. It doesn't make any difference. I'm still learning on the tournament. I'm a young chick, if I could say, on the tournament. But it's good because I'm an outsider and I can therefore try and aim for excellent performances.
Q. I have a recreational question to ask, if I can say. There are several players that are very active on Twitter, and from what I saw, it's not really your case. You have some messages, but what do you think about Twitter? A new communication tool.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Twitter, let me see. I don't really know Twitter. Well, I don't know Twitter at all. This is all I can say. I don't know. I don't know what you're talking about.
Q. So you didn't want to play on Sunday? So you're surprised, I suppose. You're French No. 1, we're in France, this is a French tournament and an important one. Were you surprised? Did it get on your nerves to be imposed to play on a Sunday?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I expected this question, to tell you what I think about this. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed because I was playing on a Sunday. I had asked not to play on a Sunday, absolutely, because I had practiced in such a way that I thought I wanted to play on a Monday or Tuesday, to be totally fit.
But they imposed it on me. I had to play on a Sunday. I have to accept the rules. This is the game and this is it.
Now, if you're world No. 80 and you're not that important in the hierarchy, if I can say, loads of things are imposed on you in this case. What really bothered me is that, you know, if you look at Murray, if he decides on a day or hour at Wimbledon, nobody's going to impose anything on him.
For Federer in his country it's the same. In the U.S. I suppose it's the tame thing for the best American players. I think that Lleyton probably plays in the sun during the Australian Open because he loves the sun and other opponents don't like the sun. He wants to play in the sun.
Today we're in France. I'm French. I'm French No. 1. I would have thought it was legitimate for me to be listened to, that I would be given a choice. They should listen to me when I wanted to play or start.
But I accepted the rules, and that's all. I'm disappointed. That's true, because I expected a bit more from the organization and the rest, but this is the way it is. I mean, had I lost on Sunday because I was not feeling good, then many people would have been disappointed. This would have been a bit silly, I think.
But it wasn't the case, so I'm here, and I'm fit. I'm ready to play. This story will continue, and that's the end of the story.
Q. Is it a lesson for you? Will it not change your behavior vis a vis number of top managers to be firmer and to behave like someone who's got nerves?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, because I'm quite open, and organizer or not, my job is to play tennis. Sometimes there are unforeseen events, so we have to adapt. But what I expected from them is to listen to me a little.
But, you know, sometimes it's this thing here, that thing there. You know, during Davis Cups you don't necessarily play in the towns you would like to play in. I'm French No. 1. I can't really decide when I'm going to start the tournament, which is at home.
So, you know, all these little details which sometimes can be quite annoying, sometimes we complain because we don't have enough good French players, but sometimes we're not given the best conditions. I think it's a bit of a pity.
Q. I'd like to say something about your match and Josselin. You are friends. Okay. Are you disappointed about his game? Do you think he can still be in the top players?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I think he can be an excellent player, that's true. But I think that for him what he misses is perhaps still a few steps to go through, a few steps; I mean, to be more regular or consistent, to be qualified more often during the big tournaments, and not to ask too many questions about himself, because he's 24. He's going to go quickly. He's got to go for it.
Q. What disappointed you about him during the match? I mean, what were his weaknesses? Is there something special?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Hmm, don't know. Maybe physically. I would have tried more, physically speaking. If I knew I was to lose, I would have done this. I couldn't give him too many advice, either, because he could have beaten me severely, as well, today.
Tsonga lashes out at French Open organizers
PARIS (AP) -- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lashed out at French Open organizers for turning down his schedule requests.
The 8th-seeded Tsonga, the top-ranked French player, reached the third round by defeating countryman Josselin Ouanna 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday.
But the former Australian Open runner-up said he was dissatisfied after organizers made him play his first-round match on Sunday while he had asked for a later start in the tournament in order to be physically fit.
Tsonga battled through five sets to beat Daniel Brands of Germany in the previous round.
"Frankly, I was a bit disappointed because I was playing on a Sunday," Tsonga said. "I had asked not to play on a Sunday, absolutely, because I had practiced in such a way that I thought I wanted to play on a Monday or Tuesday, to be totally fit. But they imposed it on me."
Tsonga said the organizers should have shown more respect considering his ranking and nationality.
"Today, we're in France. I'm French. I'm the French No. 1. I would have thought it was legitimate for me to be listened to," Tsonga said.
"If you look at (Andy) Murray, if he decides on a day or a time schedule at Wimbledon, nobody is going to impose anything on him. For (Roger) Federer, in his country it's the same. And in the U.S., I suppose it's the same thing for the best American players. I think that Lleyton (Hewitt) probably plays in the sun during the Australian Open because he loves the sun and other opponents don't like the sun."
Fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who lost in five sets to Andy Murray in the first round on Monday, also said organizers refused to give him an extra day off following his title in Nice.
Tsonga, trying to pass the fourth round at the French Open for the first time, said organizers would have been sheepish if he had made an early exit at the clay-court Grand Slam.
"If I had lost on Sunday because I was not feeling good, then many people would have been disappointed. This would have been a bit silly, I think," Tsonga said. "But it wasn't the case, so I'm here, and I'm fit. I'm ready to play. This story will continue, and that's the end of the story."
Tsonga made light work of his good friend Ouanna. He won the first nine games and served nine aces against his former classmate at the French national tennis center.
"I would have rather played somebody else and win this way, but it's the way it is. That's the tournament," Tsonga said. "I thought I had to start playing with a lot of intensity and I had to grab him at the throat. I didn't want him to do too much, and frankly, it was a good start from my side. I think this weighed a lot on the whole match."
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RG 2010 - wywiad z Tsongą po zwycięstwie w 3 rundzie
Q. You felt quite a lot of emotion at the end of the match. Is there any particular reason? Is it a special game for you? Special match for you.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Emotion, yes, because I suffered a lot during this match. It was hard.
All along the match I was trying to think about something else than the pain I was feeling. So that's why.
Q. How can you play beyond the pain?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, by telling yourself it doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt. Every 10 seconds you go, It doesn't hurt. I'll go for it. It doesn't hurt.
I knew this was something that couldn't go worse, so there was no reason for me to quit. But it was painful, and it was difficult when I had to change direction, when he was getting me wrong footed. When I had to move from one side to the other I had difficulties especially on my forehand.
But then I fought, and at the end of the day, it made the difference because I think he also had difficult matches before. He had slightly less experience, and I think, well, he couldn't make it at the end.
Q. Had you lost the second set, did you feel you had the strength to come back had you been two sets down?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I would have fought till the end, whatever. The day I quit, it's just because it's impossible, a bit like in Madrid when I just couldn't play. I couldn't.
There it was painful, but I knew it couldn't get any worse; whereas in Madrid I knew I had this problem with my back, and I knew if I had to make some movements, it would have taken me more time to recover.
Q. This match was a bit the competition of the most beautiful dropshot. We had lots of beautiful dropshots.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, Thiemo does play a lot of dropshots, and sometimes you have counterdropshots. In a five set match, dropshots are part of the game, because it makes the other run.
It wears you out really. After the 15th dropshot you're worn out. But I knew I would be present. I wouldn't give up. So I did what I could, and I started playing dropshots and thinking, Well, if he starts getting tired, then I can take the lead because I can't be all that punchy today.
Q. You said that this muscle problem is more linked to the stress.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes. Well, it's a muscle problem which is linked to stress, but it's a muscle problem.
Q. Will it be manageable for Sunday?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes, it's not because I was tired. I think it was more because well, I was a bit nervous, and when you're a bit nervous, it makes things a bit worse.
Well, then, yeah, it was a bit of a difficulty of a handicap for me. But it's a muscle issue. When it's just that, you can take a rest, it's gonna be okay.
Q. But today is Friday night. You are the last French player in the draw. What's your comment? Because, well, it's a bit of a habit, you being the last one left. This time it's a bit early.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: What do I feel about it? Well, it's sad. It's sad the others didn't make it. I was sad seeing Richard losing, because I had made a bet. I thought he would make it here.
As for Gaël yesterday, it was a bit difficult. It was hard. He never managed to really be back in the match after they had to stop because of the night.
So for him it's a shame, as well. Well, I'm doing my job, and I hope I'll be even better for the next round.
Q. When did you start feeling that pain?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: End of the second set, 5 All. Eric says it's on a dropshot. I started sliding, and maybe that's when it happened. I don't know. But I started feeling it at the end, and you know, it became more intense.
At the beginning it really it was just very little nagging me. Then little by little it started hurting and being very painful.
Q. Wasn't it also something that helped you relax?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, yes. It was a blessing in disguise, because instead of thinking of all the points I had in my racquet and never scored, I was focusing on my pain. That's what made it possible for me to stop thinking too much and be back in the match.
Q. Is this why you were more offensive on the third and fourth set, because you were trying to play shorter rallies?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yes, because as I couldn't run that much with my leg, I started trying to manage the game, impose my game, be the master on the court.
Yes, it was relaxing at the end because I played better than when I was in totally good shape.
Then I think Thiemo also started to feel a bit tired, because at the beginning he would hit his ball much stronger. At the end, I was okay.
Q. Before you had this pain during the first set you were shaking your left wrist. What does it mean?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, sometimes I would block my wrist, the left wrist. I don't know why, because I don't use it that much except for my backhand. But sometimes it's a bit painful and I shake it. It goes away.
Q. So it's a small pain that comes and goes, but it's not linked to tension or stress?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Well, it's probably linked to stress, but I don't control everything. So, you know, it sometimes happens.
Some players would cramp because of stress. Others feel pain. That's the way it is.
Q. What's your schedule for tomorrow, to be at the top on Sunday against Troicki or Youzhny?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Hey, that's my secret. I can't tell you everything, otherwise everybody would do the same. But it's going to be rest, mostly.
Q. Are you going to ask the organizers to schedule you as late as possible?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, not particularly, because I'll be ready to play on Sunday.
And anyway, I know I won't be playing before 11:00 in the morning.
Focusing on football... with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
France’s No.1 player, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, dreams of winning Roland Garros some day. When he was younger, his dream was to be a football player for Marseilles. Read on for more about football from the French favourite…
What is your first football memory?
When I was a kid, in Le Mans. There was a lawn in the suburbs where my parents lived where I would play with my friends every day after school, sometimes until nightfall. Some days I’d pretend to be Franck Sauzée taking free-kicks, some days I was Chris Waddle or even Rudi Voeller, a real fox in the box. Those were the good old days.
Who was your childhood idol?
First it was Chris Waddle, then George Weah, and then Didier Drogba.
Which is your favourite team?
My heart is with Le Mans but the team that really gets me excited is Marseilles. I really like the passion that team inspires.
Which is your favourite stadium?
The Stade de France.
Who do you think will be the biggest surprise at the World Cup?
Argentina. With Maradona in charge, I’m sure there will be fireworks. I have a really good feeling about Argentina.
What about the biggest disappointment?
I’m afraid it will be South Africa. I’m very worried about them.
Who would you pay good money to see in South Africa?
Messi.
How much would you pay for your favourite player’s shirt?
That depends on who gets the money. If it’s for a charity I’d be willing to put down quite a bit of money. If not, I’d pay the official price.
Which fans are the best?
Everyone was telling me about the English fans but, when I went to a few matches, I was disappointed. It was like they were crooning lullabies. The Italians know how to make some noise. Watching on the television, it looks like they get very excited. But I have to say that the French fans are pretty great too.
If you could play 90 minutes with any team, which would it be and what position?
Hmmm…In Le Mans they might give me a chance (laughs). I’m kidding… In a passionate country, like Brazil, playing for Flamengo at the Maracana in front of a capacity crowd.
Who is your favourite manager?
Not Jose Mourinho! I don’t like managers who toot their own horns. I prefer Arsène Wenger or Laurent Blanc, managers who know to be humble and put the team first.
What’s the best goal you’ve ever seen?
The one I thought was out of this world was the second one by Tutu (Lilian Thuram), in the 1998 World Cup semi-final against Croatia. He scores with his left foot, kneels down, puts his finger on his lips… and that was the goal that put France through into the final. It was totally unreal.
Tsonga faces race for Wimbledon fitness
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga faces a race for fitness if he's to front up for Wimbledon after being diagnosed with a hip injury following his French Open fourth-round pullout against Mikhail Youzhny.
The French number one had an MRI, which resulted in doctors telling him to rest for at least ten days.
That would leave the world No. 10 with just a few days before the June 21 start of Wimbledon. “I could hardly put my foot down on the court from the very first game, I knew it was going to be difficult. Mikhail did a winning forehand, I blocked and I felt a sharp pain,” said the Frenchman.
“Immediately after I knew that it was the same thing that I had felt in the previous match. It hurt even more.”
Tsonga , the 2008 Australian Open finalist, has already been through knee surgery two years ago and has dealt with back and abdominal muscle trouble. "I hired a physiotherapist this year to be with me all the time, even when I'm not playing in tournaments. I also have another chiropractor looking at me. I really do my best, and I take all the necessary precautions.”
Tsonga making quick hip injury recovery
A French Open hip injury has healed faster than expected, leaving Jo-Wilfried Tsonga a definite possibility to be fit in time for Monday's start at Wimbledon.
Tsonga was unable to take to the court for his fourth-round Roland Garros contest due to a muscle lesion. But little more than a week after his setback, the 25-year-old's latest scene showed vast improvement in his condition.
His participation at the All England club will be a late decision, with doctors and the player making the call. "The MRI showed the lesion has completely healed. Jo will now return to rehab with his physiotherapist and we will meet in London to prepare for Wimbledon on Monday," said coach Eric Winogradsky.
Tsonga said he has taken on a sports psychologist to help him through. "He will be with me all the time, even when I'm not playing in tournaments. I also have another chiropractor looking at me. I really do my best, and I take all the necessary precautions.”
Wimbledon 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 1 rundzie
Q. I take it you dragged yourself away from the television, or you cannot bear to watch what's going on on the soccer field.
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah. And?
Q. Would you rather be watching the French game now?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no. I'm here.
Q. But was it difficult to come here now rather than...
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No. It's not a problem. It's okay.
Q. Okay. We'll talk tennis then.
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: We'll talk tennis.
Q. Does your performance today give you a lot of confidence?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah. Yeah, because Robert is a very good player. I knew before the match it would be difficult, and it was.
So I'm really happy to win today.
Q. It looked hard work for you out there. Was it hard to get a read on his serve?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, on his serve, because this is his best shot. He served unbelievable and I didn't return a lot, but enough to win this match. It's good.
Q. How confident are you coming into Wimbledon? You've saved your best slam performances for Australia so far.
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I only played two times here, so for me it's the third one. You know, I'm new on this surface, so maybe I can do something good.
Because the first one I did the fourth round; last year the third. So maybe I can do better.
Q. Is it a learning curve on grass for you?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah. We can call it like this, yeah.
Q. Do you think you have the all‑round game to challenge the Federers...
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah.
Q. And are you now injury‑free given what happened in...
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, now I'm better. I'm healthy. Everything is okay. So I hope I will continue like this.
Q. What exactly what the problem?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Problem with my psoas. (Through translation.) Tear in the psoas muscle.
Q. And that's now no problem?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No.
Wimbledon 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 4 rundzie
Q. Are you happy with the way you're playing?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, happy because I won, so it's good.
It was not really an easy match. I didn't play really well, you know. But it was good to win because it was against another Frenchman, and these match are all the time, you know, really tight. So it was good.
Q. Not sure of your next opponent. Possibility it will be Andy Murray. How do you see that matchup?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, I know Andy like grass. He play well at this surface. He is at home. He will give everything. I know that.
But I obviously will be the outsider. Yeah, maybe the pressure will be on his, you know, shoulder because for me I have nothing to lose, you know. I will play the first quarterfinal in my career here in Wimbledon.
So for me, yeah, I have everything to win in this match.
Q. How is your confidence just now?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: My confidence, I feel confident. I know I can beat everybody. So I will play my game. I will try to play, you know, relaxed and be offensive and that's it.
Q. What has made the difference this year with you feeling comfortable on grass?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: For me, there is not a lot of different than the other years. Maybe I have more experience, so maybe I'm better.
But I don't feel a lot of difference than last year and everything. But last year I change racquet just before the tournament, so it was tough for me. So this year it's better because I play with my racquet since some months now, and it's good.
Q. And your back is fine now?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, my back is perfect. I feel good.
Q. You seemed to be a little bit frustrated at times. Was it because you weren't playing as well as you felt you should be?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, all the time. I'm all the time like this, you know. Even when I win 6‑Love, 6‑Love, 6‑Love, it's the same, you know. If I miss one ball, sometimes I'm a bit frustrated (smiling).
Wimbledon 2010 - wywiad po porażce w ćwierćfinale
Q. How would you say you came to lose that game today? How can you describe what happened today?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: How can I describe? Just I play a tennis match against Andy Murray on the Centre Court. I played a good match, but he was better than me today. And that's it (smiling.)
Q. You won the first set.
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah. Close.
Q. Second one?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: I lost it, but close also. And then he was better. Then he was better.
Q. Did you become demoralized when he leveled at one set all?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Not really. But, you know, it's all the time like this. Sometimes you are, you know, close to take two sets and continue, and then you lost and then you are, you know, a bit disappointed, and then the player in front of you is very confident because he took the second set, you know, really close and he play better and he's more relaxed, and you, you are more, you know, on your feeling, and that's it. And then he play better.
Q. That point in the tiebreak when you let the ball go off the return, is that the point in the match that you'd want back?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course this one.
But there is this one. Maybe there is other. The return I did, you know, on the line. The line umpire say 'out' and then say, 'good.' Andy take the challenge and the ball was good. After this ball, if it was not announced, I have a ball, you know, in the court, you know, easy shot, and is different also.
So this is tennis, and sometimes you leave a ball go and you lose on this ball.
Q. You were tending to the thumb a little bit. Was it bothering you?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, a bit. But when we play, we have all the time things like this. That's life.
Q. What do you think you have to work on to improve your game to today?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, I'm happy because today I find a level I didn't play since a long time at the beginning of the match. You know, for me it's good because I didn't play this level since, yeah, a really long time.
Maybe if I play like this, you know, and I'm more consistent in this way, I will do some good things.
Q. Everyone in England will get excited about Murray maybe winning Wimbledon. How do you rate his chances?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I hope is gonna be him. I told him, you know, at the net, Make me a pleasure; go all the way, you know.
Yeah, I hope he will win because it's a good player. It's never easy to play, you know, in front of his crowd. He's really strong, and I hope he will win.
Q. Did the crowd worry you today?
JO‑WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no. They was really fair, like every time, yeah.
Tsonga out for up to two months with knee injury
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is expected to be out for two months with a knee injury he suffered during Wimbledon.
That means the Frenchman will miss next week's Davis Cup quarterfinal against Spain. Richard Gasquet is also out of the tie with the back injury that kept him out of Wimbledon.
On the Spanish side, Rafael Nadal will miss the tie to undergo treatment on his knees.
Tsonga nie zagra w US Open
Dziesiąty tenisista światowego rankingu Francuz Jo-Wilfried Tsonga nie zagra z powodu kontuzji kolana w rozpoczynającym się 30 sierpnia wielkoszlemowym turnieju US Open.
Tsonga jest drugim zawodnikiem z czołowej dziesiątki listy ATP, który nie pojawi się na kortach w Nowym Jorku. Dzień wczesniej wycofał się ubiegłoroczny zwycięzca, dziewiąty w rankingu Martin del Potro. Argentyńczyk poinformował, że nie jest jeszcze w pełni sił po majowej operacji prawego nadgarstka.
Do not make him angry. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5RHK-3D … re=related
Tsonga says knee pain could keep him out of DC final
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga could easily desert the French Davis Cup final in December against Serbia if he remains troubled by left knee pain.
The former Australian Open finalist lost in the Montpellier semi-finals to compatriot Gael Monfils and then complained about his fitness problems.
"I felt something at the beginning of the match," he said, adding that any medical decision could easily mean that he skips the December 3-5 final in Belgrade. "I don't have a chance of beating Novak Djokovic or Viktor Troicki in Belgrade if I've not played for three weeks."
Tsonga has been troubled by his knee already in 2010, missing the three months after Wimbledon and returning to a first-round loss in early October in Tokyo.
The French No. 1 will undergo tests next week in Paris, cutting it close for his possible participation at the indoor Masters 1000 at Paris Bercy, which he won in 2008 and which starts on November 8.
Tsonga pulls out of Valencia
Jo-Wlfried Tsonga has pulled out of Valencia after experiencing knee pain during his semifinal against Gael Monfils in Montpellier. After the match, Tsonga said some recurring trouble was to be expected -- the Frenchman missed the summer hardcourt season after injuring his knee at Wimbledon.
Tsonga will undergo an MRI on Wednesday before making a decision about whether to play the Masters in Paris next week, but has indicated his priority is to be fit for the Davis Cup final in a month's time.
Koniec sezonu dla Tsongi.
http://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/breves2010 … songa.html
Tsonga ma uszkodzone więzadła w prawym kolanie - nie spodziewałem się że to taki powważny uraz. Allez i wracaj do zdrowia.
Tsonga To Miss Remainder Of Season With Knee Injury
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after a recurrence of the left knee injury that kept him sidelined throughout the North American hard court season. The Frenchman suffered the original injury at Wimbledon and it flared up again at last week’s Open Sud de France in Montpellier, where he reached the semi-finals (l. to Monfils).
World No. 13 Tsonga will miss the final tournament of the regular ATP World Tour season, next week’s BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, and will also be unable to represent France in the Davis Cup final against Serbia in December.
“I will need to have six weeks of complete rest," Tsonga said on Wednesday. "I could have played by taking loads of anti-inflammatories, but the risk is getting injured for six months. It's the hardest moment of my career, along with pulling out of the Olympic Games [in] 2008.”
The 25-year-old Tsonga finishes the season with a 32-16 match record, highlighted by reaching the Australian Open semi-finals (l. to Federer) and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon (l. to Murray) and ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments in Miami (l. to Nadal) and Shanghai (l. to Murray). Before withdrawing from Valencia and Paris, the Frenchman had had an outside chance of qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
The Last Word: ATP No. 13, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Tsonga showed flashes of brilliance in 2010 but,
as usual, was often injured.
Best of 2010
The man from Le Mans was untested in going the distance until this season. He won the first five-setter of his career against Nicolas Almagro at the Australian Open, 9-7 in the fifth, and followed that up with a five-set win over Novak Djokovic before bowing to Roger Federer in the semis.
Worst of 2010
Tsonga loves the big stage, but the stars of the ATP mostly overshadowed him. He posted a 1-5 record vs. Top 10 opponents this year, winning just one set in those defeats.
Year in Review
Showing all-surface fluency, Tsonga was a Wimbledon quarterfinalist, reached the fourth round of Roland Garros and made the semis in Melbourne. He also reached the quarterfinals of Rome, Miami and Shanghai. Along with Davis Cup teammate Michael Llodra, Tsonga is one of the few Top 50 players capable of playing successful serve-and-volley tennis, and when he’s connecting on his first serve, his aggressive style can take opponents out of their comfort zone. A left knee injury suffered at Wimbledon sidelined Tsonga for the entire U.S. hardcourt season. The explosive Frenchman returned in October, posting a 5-4 record before a recurrence of the knee injury forced him out of Paris and the Davis Cup final.
See for Yourself
Tsonga reached the Australian Open semis for the second time in three years, but often found himself reduced to spectator status against Federer:
The Last Word
There are several questions confronting Tsonga, but the primary one is this: Can he stay healthy for an entire season? Tsonga moves well for a big man but has been beaten up by lower-body injuries—the same that plagued Mark Philippoussis, another talent with immense upper-body strength. Will Tsonga, like Philippoussis, combat injury issues his entire career? His left knee injury this season came two years after right knee surgery.
—Richard Pagliaro
2010 w liczbach
Ranking: 13
Turnieje: 0
Finały: 0
Mecze: 31-16
Zarobki: $1,166,151
Abu Dhabi defeat was good for me, says upbeat Tsonga
Tsonga is ready for the Qatar Open
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is looking to bounce back from his early exit at the Mubadala World Championship at the Qatar Open, which begins on Monday.
Tsonga lost in the first stage of the knockout draw in Abu Dhabi, going down 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 to Robin Soderling in the prestigious exhibition event.
But he believes the Qatar Open is in the ideal place to continue his comeback from what he describes as the biggest setback of his career.
The former world No.6 is enjoying the warmth of the Arabian Gulf as he recovers from a persistent knee injury, which has dogged him since he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in July.
The injury flared up again in October and the Frenchman was forced to miss the Davis Cup final in which France lost 3-2 to Serbia in Belgrade last month.
But he said the match in the UAE, despite ending in defeat, has boosted his self-belief.
“I think I have improved a lot and I have more confidence now,” Tsonga said, who now can’t wait to start the competitive season in Doha.
“It ’s an ideal place to start the season and prepare for the Australian Open, which I love,” said Tsonga, who made his breakthrough in Melbourne two years ago by beating Rafa Nadal and reaching the final.
“Missing so much tennis has made me hungry and I’m really looking forward to the competition again,” he said.
Tsonga will take on Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, the world No.77 from of Spain in the first round of the $1,024,000 (Dh3.7million) event either tomorrow or Tuesday.
If Tsonga wins through the draw, he could then meet Sergei Bubka, the 23-year-old son of legendary pole vaulter Sergey Bubka, an Olympic gold medallist.
Later in the draw there is the lure of a likely semi-final with Roger Federer. The Grand Slam record-holder from Switzerland was philosophical about his 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) loss to Nadal in the Abu Dhabi final on Saturday.
“I try not to think about making it a mental battle out there because I will have enough of those in the next few years,” Federer said.
Nadal remains focused on the job in hand, rather than getting ahead of himself with thoughts of Melbourne. “The pressure is every day about winning matches,” he said. “I don’t think about winning the Australian Open. I think about Doha.”
AO 2011 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 2 rundzie
Q. At the end you danced a bit of a jig. Was that a matter of coming back from two sets down in your previous match?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, it was good for me. I did it over time. No, it was good to win in three straight sets. Anyway, for the rest of the tournament, it's good.
Q. Was it important to win in three after a grueling match in the first round?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course. Of course.
It's all the time important to spend less times a possible, so...
Q. Were you happy with today compared to the first round?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I'm really happy because I played better tennis than yesterday and I'm just happy with my level today. I was healthy. I felt good on the court. So I'm okay.
AO 2011 - wywiad po porażce w 3 rundzie
Q. How do you explain the five set loss?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Because maybe he was better than me. That's it. He was better than me. He played a better match. He was more consistent maybe than me. That's why.
Q. What disappointed you about your game? Any particular thing?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, maybe I broke all the time in the first three sets I broke first, and after that he broke back. I didn't play really my game after that. That's why maybe I'm disappointed.
Q. You kept hitting your hip. Did that slow down your movement at the end of the match?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no.
Q. What was your emotion as the match started to get away from you? How did you try and get back on top?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, every day I try to get back on top. I was injured for long months. So I need, you know, some reason. Of course, it's not like this (snapping fingers). You don't do it like this (snapping fingers).
It's okay. You play well, you play your best level every time, and you are constant. No, it's not like this.
I try every day to play, to be better. But sometimes, you know, you have some problem to be really concentrate, and that's it. I think today I lose this match because I need maybe more matches, more competition, and that's it.
Q. So it became a fitness thing in the end? Is that what it was? It went to five, and that's why those last two sets were so hard?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, maybe fitness. But for me it's reasonable, you know. Because when you are used to play every day, you know, two, three hours, to play one match every day, every week, after that, you know, you get used to play a match like this.
But I'm not. So I need that. So maybe it's good. I will go out of this tournament. Yeah, I'm out of this tournament, so I can prepare the next tournament. Maybe in the season I will feel better and better every day.
Q. Looking ahead to tonight's game, young Bernard Tomic has a tough job against Rafael Nadal. What would you do if you were Bernard Tomic going against the No. 1?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Just to play his game and take pleasure. It's not every day you play the No. 1 of the world. I think it's an opportunity for him to give everything and to show his face to the public.
Q. You said you were out of rhythm out there today. How do you actually feel like you're hitting the ball at the moment?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I hit the ball well, but maybe I don't move enough well.
Q. How much did you know about your opponent going in, and what did you learn about him coming out of the match insofar as his game is concerned?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, I played him one time already in Wimbledon, and it was tough also. So I learn it's a good player. Maybe next time I will try to be better. That's it.
Q. Is there anything about his game maybe that changed since you faced him at Wimbledon?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, not really. I think today was just about me and not about this.
Pierwszy finał w 2011 roku.
Francuz przegrał finał turnieju ATP500 w Rotterdamie z Robinem Soderlingiem. Był to 7 finał w karierze Tsongi. Francuz ma korzystny bilans takich potyczek: 5-2.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - finały (2)
2011 Rotterdam
2008 Australian Open
Tsonga splits from coach of seven years
France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has parted company with coach Eric Winogradsky.
"Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Eric Winogradsky have mutually agreed to end their collaboration," the French Federation of Tennis said in a statement.
The FFT added that Tsonga, the world number 17, was to set up his own training structure.
Under Winogradsky's guidance, Tsonga, 25, reached the 2008 Australian Open final as well as win the Paris Masters title the same year.
They had been working together since 2004.
MR. SPONTANEITY: TSONGA FLIES SOLODEUCE
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is hopeful of a return to the Top 10, and believes that enjoying his time
on court will allow him to play his best tennis.
Without a coach for the first time in seven years, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is hoping to build on the lessons he learned in 2008 in order to regain the spontaneity in his game.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the breath of fresh air that swept through men’s tennis in 2008, has sometimes found it difficult to adjust to a life in the media spotlight. “I think when I first came onto tour, I played well, but then with results there was lots more expectation and off-court interest as I rose up the rankings,” admitted Tsonga, at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.
“It was difficult to categorise every part of my life. It was tough to be recognised, as outside of the court I am really quiet and private. Now I am trying to relax before matches. I think I just need to play without thinking and without pressure also.”“I want to be spontaneous and not have any outside influence”
It is one of the reasons why in April this year he parted company with his French Tennis Federation coach of seven years, Eric Winogradsky, who had previously nurtured Richard Gasquet onto the ATP World Tour. “It was difficult to end my partnership with Eric,” says Tsonga, who rose to a career-high World No. 6 and picked up five ATP World Tour titles under Winogradsky’s guidance. “He took me on when I was 19 and influenced the first part of my career.
“I am not working anymore with a coach. I just play to have fun, play my best tennis, take pleasure from the fight [in a match] and that’s it. I want to be spontaneous and not have any outside influence. I just want to be me, so I don’t have any regrets.
“I am not asking anyone for advice. I want to figure tactics, everything out for myself. I want to mature more as a person and find the spontaneity that has been missing. Since I have been alone I have been playing better every week [smiling], so I will stay like this. Maybe I will need advice later, but for now I’m fine.”
Patrick Mouratoglou, who currently coaches Jeremy Chardy, is uncertain whether Tsonga can return to the Top 10 of the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings without a coach. “In my experience, it is not possible for anyone to reach the Top 10 without a coach,” says Mouratoglou. “All the players have someone, even Roger Federer had Severin Luthi when he was claiming he had no coach.”
But Mouratoglou appreciates Tsonga’s present need for independence. “I understand that Jo needs, for the moment, to feel freer and to play the way he feels it. In the short term, I believe it will help him get in touch with himself. It is like a love relationship, when it is very difficult to live another love story right after breaking up with someone.
“Jo needs time to get ready for a new professional relationship. He still can become much better than he has ever been. He has a lot of potential. He is one of the players that have the shots and the game to win a Grand Slam. For that purpose, he needs a new project for him and his game.”“It is very difficult to live another love story right after breaking up with someone”
Many purists will hope that Tsonga’s body will remain fit enough so he can recapture the kind of athletic and dynamic displays that once transfixed the imagination of galleries worldwide. He outmuscled the opposition from their stride, forcing them into hitting a succession of defensive shots in response to booming service deliveries that kick-started his acrobatic game, and produced blistering forehands that scrambled their minds.
“I haven’t changed my technique on different strokes, but the way I approach the sport has changed,” he says. “I try to be perfect in my preparation, working with the best people and make a serious investment in that. My fitness and work with my physio have become even more important. Now I feel good.”
So can Tsonga play without fear once again on court, despite all his setbacks, and put together a run of strong performances tournament after tournament? Marcos Baghdatis’s former mentor, Mouratoglou, thinks so.
“For each player there is a certain level of fear, confidence and motivation all the time,” believes Mouratoglou. “Fear is the enemy that confidence and motivation can fight with. All those three elements are constantly moving, and that explains why sometimes it is easier for a player to fight against his fear.
“In the exceptional case of Novak Djokovic right now – and Rafael Nadal last year – there will still be a lot of fear because his expectations rise and rise. But his level of confidence is so high that he can easily fight against it. All the players need this stress, because without it they cannot be efficient on the court.
“In Jo’s case, he has a very strong personality. He has never been afraid to show his ambitions. He needs adrenaline and challenges to be better. He knows it. That is why he often puts a lot of pressure on himself because his tennis needs it. He is a great fighter with a strong ego and this is what makes him so competitive. He brings a lot of confidence and power. Players feel strong being close to him in the same team.”“He needs adrenaline and challenges to be better”
At 26 years of age, Tsonga's body may no longer be the supple and agile frame that took him to the Australian Open final and BNP Paribas Masters title three seasons ago. But by attempting to regain the spontaneity and fluidity of his vintage performances, Tsonga hopes he will be able to dish out more savage lessons on smothering his rivals.
“I still love the sport, even more than a year ago, when it was difficult for me,” he says. “I still love playing on the grand stages and I want to take a lot of pleasure on the court, so that I can play my best tennis. In the next few months I want to be back in the Top 10 and start winning titles again.”
RG 2011 - konferencja po zwycięstwie w 1 rundzie.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/multi … 00081.html
''I’d go fishing with Rafael Nadal''
Our "choose a player" feature reveals the fun, friendly side of the stars appearing at this year's French Open. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a favourite with his home crowd, is today's willing participant.
Which player would you choose…
To share a good bottle of wine with?
(Thinks for a while) Mika Llodra, he knows his stuff.
To take to your favourite restaurant?
Kei Nishikori, because my favourite restaurant is Minori in Paris. It's a great Japanese restaurant. I'll show him that French sushi is better than Japanese sushi (laughs).
To accompany you to the Cannes film festival?
Ana Ivanovic. She would be great arm candy.
To play in a film with?
David Ferrer. He'd play Forrest in Forrest Gump, and I'd play Bubba, his shrimp fishing friend.
To go out on the town with in Las Vegas?
La Monf' (Gaël Monfils), no question about it.
To play in a band with?
Dustin Brown, that would be great. We'd make beautiful reggae.
As master of ceremonies for your wedding?
Novak Djokovic, he would be great at that.
To take to a football match?
Jurgen Melzer. I played football with him in the United States, and he's really good. He loves it.
To go and see stand-up comedy with?
Andy Roddick.
To take fishing?
Rafael Nadal.
To open a bar with?
Marat Safin. Once night falls he's the guy to hang around with.
RG 2011 - konferencja po zwycięstwie w 2 rundzie.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/multi … 00111.html
RG 2011 - konferencja po porażce w 3 rundzie.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/multi … 00168.html
Queens Club 2011 - pierwszy finał na trawie.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga dotarł do finału turnieju ATP w Queens Club. Był to jego 2 finał w 2011 roku i 1 na kortach trawiastych. Jak do tej pory 7 swoich finałów 26-letni Francuz grał na kortach twardych. Tsonga przegrał mecz o tytuł po raz 3 w karierze.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - przegrane finały (3)
2011 Rotterdam, Queens Club
2008 Australian Open
TSONGA BARES ALL FOR EVERYMAN CAMPAIGN
Tsonga In Cosmopolitan.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the latest player on the ATP World Tour to pose naked... for a good cause. The Frenchman can be seen in all his glory in the June issue of the U.K.'s Cosmopolitan magazine.
Tsonga is the third tennis player to bare all in support of the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, following in the footsteps of Spaniards Tommy Robredo and Fernando Verdasco. The Everyman campaign raises awareness of, and funds research into, testicular and prostate cancer.
Cosmopolitan features different celebrities in nude centerfolds each month to aid UK’s leading male cancer campaign. Through its centerfolds, the magazine has helped raise vital funds for the 39,000 men a year diagnosed with male-specific cancer.
The World No. 19 did the photoshoot in Monte Carlo earlier this year. In the accompanying interview, Tsonga disclosed, "On a woman, I love beautiful eyes." As for what he likes most about his body, the Frenchman revealed, "My favourite part of my body is my buttocks, but I don't like my feet."
Wimbledon 2011 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 2 rundzie
J. Tsonga bt. G. Dimitrov 6 7, 6 4, 6 4, 7 6
Q. Was there ever a point in the match where you thought you were going to lose it?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, because all the match I was leading. No. (Laughter).
What can I say more? Nothing.
Q. When you're playing, are you playing for yourself or your family or you country?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Today I play for myself. But of course, you know, myself it's not only me. A lot of people made me, you know, so I play for them also.
But first for me.
Q. Do you feel confident for the next couple of rounds?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know who I play.
Q. González.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: If I feel confident? Yeah, I feel good. I feel good. Like today, I will try to do my best and play good tennis, and we will see.
But I'm confident.
Wimbledon 2011 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w ćwierćfinale
J. Tsonga bt. R. Federer 3 6, 6 7, 6 4, 6 4, 6 4
Q. Did you have a sudden flash of inspiration out there?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: A lot. A lot. I felt so good on the court. I was quick. I was just perfect today. I don't know. Every time I was feeling like a dream, you know.
Q. Even at two sets down?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Even at two sets down, you know, because I was in quarterfinals again Roger Federer. The stadium was full. It was 6 3, 7 6. I was not ridiculous. I was in my match.
Yeah, I was feeling good all the match.
Q. Before today Federer had never lost from two sets up in a Grand Slam. What gave you the belief that you could be the one to end that record?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, at the moment you don't think about it. You know, you just think about you have to stay consistent and keep your serve, and that's it.
Then it comes true. When you are at two sets to one, you say, Okay, I can win another one and then it's the fifth set.
Q. Your serve was almost unplayable. You never gave him a breakpoint.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, I served just unbelievable. But like the match before, uhm, I feel really confident on this shot. I hope it will continue.
Q. You were very tough closing out the match, which is not an easy thing to do against Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Was it difficult not to become nervous?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, I think I improve a lot mentally. I'm stronger because I change lot of things, you know, in my tennis, and now I try to stay focused all the time and just breathe and stay quiet. I did it today and it worked, so...
I feel good with this. I think I'm the kind of player who likes, you know, these big moments. So I hope I will have some more (smiling).
Q. Were you surprised how Roger didn't come back at you when you started to win? A player like yourself or Murray or Djokovic have a lot of aggression and show it on court, while Federer is super cool. It's almost because he was so super cool, that's why he didn't react and ended up losing.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, is difficult to play against him because you don't know exactly what he's thinking, what's happen in his head. He has all the time the same comportment, and it's difficult because he plays so fast. You don't know if he's scared or not, and it's really difficult.
So I think the way he plays, the way he plays is the best and is difficult. But, anyway, I didn't look at him. I was just focused on me, on my serve, and that's it.
Q. You're known for your creativity, your spontaneity, yet you just now said you need to stay quiet. Talk about the mix between the creativity, the spontaneity, and being quiet.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, I mean, I just need to be quiet between the points. But during the points, I can do everything, you know. I have to be aggressive. I have to be spontaneous. I have to do what I feel, and that's it.
But between points I just try to stay focused and breathe and stay quiet, and this is the way I play well.
Q. That prime feeling you felt today, what was the feeling you had inside today?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: The feeling was I was feeling really strong because I never how you say that panic. I was all the time, you know, really focused. Today I was not scared, you know, on big points. Just I have to hit the ball, I hit the ball, and that's it.
Q. You've had great moments in your career. Is this one more special than any one?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, for me it's more special because I beat Roger Federer, you know, in quarterfinal here on this big court. I like the atmosphere here. For me it's just amazing. The feeling is like maybe beat Nadal in Roland Garros, so it's just amazing.
And for me it will be, for sure, anyway.
Q. You were talking about being scared. Do you think you scared Roger Federer when you started to come back at him, and the way you did?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, because Roger is the best. He saw a lot of things. I don't think he's scared of me.
Q. Federer used to be unbeatable on grass. Have you finished the legend of 'Federer the invincible'?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know. Only the future will tell us.
Q. Can you describe what the matchup is like for you against Djokovic and what your different styles of play are?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Uhm, I think he's more consistent than me on his baseline, but he hit maybe the ball slower than me. But he take the ball really early, so this is maybe the difference. Maybe also my serve, because I served really well, you know, at this time.
I don't know. Anyway, we are different: different character, different personality. We will see.
Q. How different are your personalities? In what ways?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, we are just different because we are not from the same country, not from maybe the same family, the same education. So it's completely different, and that's it. We are different.
This is what is nice in tennis, you know. You will have two opponent completely different play against each other, and this is nice.
Q. Did you feel you had this match coming in you? Was there anything about this week where you were thinking this is your time or you have a chance? What were the major reasons? You spoke about mentally changing some things in your game. What did you change?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, uhm, I change lot of thing in my game. Not really in my game, but in my mind and in my staff. I think, you know, I played three years not far from the top 10, or in the top 10, and now I want more. I want more. That's why I decide, you know, to change some things and try to be a better players.
Q. Did you work with a psychologist or anything, sports psychologist?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, no, no.
Q. Was there any point during the match today that you thought, I'm going home tonight, I'm going to lose?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, because I haven't got, you know, breakpoints on my serve. So I was feeling like, you know, I'm confident because I don't have to save, you know, breakpoints. So, no, not really.
Q. Can you win Wimbledon from here now?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Uhm, why not?
Q. How will you come back after this incredible victory and have your focus and determination against Novak?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: You know, I played against him many times. He beat me all the time in the big moments, and I want change it. That's it.
Q. Will you tell us about the people around you. I think I saw your brother in the box. How much has it meant to you to have those people around?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: It's nice to have a part of family in the box and some friends and people who I work with. That's it. Nothing more to say.
Q. Enzo, what is he like as a spectator?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: He like good points, nice points, and he like also of course when I win. But he like tennis, I think, and that's it.
Q. Where did that inspiration come from?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: My inspiration?
Q. Where did it come from today?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: From France, from Congo, from my family, from my house, from everywhere. From here. That's it.
Q. Have you ever met Mohammed Ali? If not, would you like to do that?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, I never met him for the moment. But, of course, if I have the possibility to.
Q. What would that mean?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: What does it mean? Just a nice moment, you know, because in life you have to live of course some good moment. That's it.
And meet him, it make part of good moment.
Wimbledon 2011 - wywiad po porażce w półfinale
J-W. Tsonga def. by N. Djokovic 6-7, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
Q. How would you summarize how you played today? Good, bad or just awful?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, today I played well. Played well; my opponent was just better than me today.
I tried to take my chance on every points, but was just tough because he was running everywhere and the ball was all the time I saw the ball all the time come back. It was tough.
Q. Were you tired going into this game? Did you feel tired?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Yeah, of course. Of course, I'm tired. I feel tired after this match. Before was okay. But now I be tired. Yeah, that's it.
Q. What was the main difference today from the match against Federer?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I think today I played well. I can beat everybody today, but not Djokovic, because he just played unbelievable. He was everywhere. He returns unbelievable all the time on his baseline, so is tough. That's it.
Q. You seemed to throw everything at him today. What do you think it will take for either Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal to stop Djokovic in the final?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: What they need?
Q. Yes.
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: They need to run more than him and faster. So is difficult.
But, anyway, you never know. Every day is different. Maybe today he played well; maybe the next day he will play better or not. In sport you don't know. You don't know what's happen tomorrow.
Q. This win takes Novak to No. 1 in the world rankings. Do you now regard him as the best tennis player in the world based on that performance?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I think since the beginning of the year, yes. He beat every player maybe twice or three times, I don't know.
But, yeah, I think he's the best player in the world for the moment. He won the Australian Open. He did like semis in Roland Garros or quarterfinal. Semis? And now he's in final. So he's maybe the best.
Q. You had some incredible points today. Which point to you was the most sensational play that you made?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't know. Maybe the backhand at the end. Nobody saw this one, but I did a good backhand, and it's not often, so was good (smiling).
No, I did many. I don't remember everything. Maybe I will watch my match against Djokovic on DVD and then I will come back to tell you.
Q. You said the other day that you were dissatisfied with playing around the top 10, that you were improving your game. What are the next steps for you to push your way further up the rankings?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Now I have to continue in this way, you know, because nothing is established. Yeah, I have to continue in this way and maybe it will pay after.
For the moment I play well. This is the first tournament I play like this. I hope I will play the same level or better in the future.
Q. You once said you felt you were made to play big matches at the most important arenas. What happens to you in these big matches? Do you feel more free? Do you go for your shots more?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: No, you know, when you play there you feel like you are not a real tennis player, but you feel like you're I don't know one of the best, even if you are not. So you try to play like the best player in the world.
This is maybe why my level go up when I go on these courts.
Q. At the start of this tournament, many people were talking about the strength of the top four seeds. What for you is the next step, and do you see yourself joining the top four or five players in the world?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I hope, you know. This is one of my goal. I was 6 in the world already. Of course if I can reach the top five, I will do it.
But for the moment I'm 19 or something like this. I have to improve a lot to be there. I will continue in this way and just try to play my best tennis on the court. Maybe will continue if I continue to play like this.
Q. You've caught the hearts and minds of the Wimbledon crowd here. To what extent do you feel that's helped your game this tournament?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: I don't have any problem with all the crowds, so it's every time the same thing. If you give to them, they give to you. I try to give everything on my match. I try to fight, and then they support me.
Q. Today you were out there against Novak; you played Roger recently; you've played Nadal also. If you had to say, who is the best?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: This is a difficult question because, you know, in tennis, like I said, you don't know what's happen tomorrow.
Maybe Roger dominate the tour for many years; Rafa won hundred Roland Garros; and Novak is all the time in semis and final. He's everywhere. So is difficult to say who is the best.
But, you know, on grass I prefer maybe play Rafa. On clay nobody (smiling). No, you know, it's too difficult to say.
Q. And on hard court?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Hard court the same. They are all good. No, they are just big champion, and that's it. Every week is different. One week it's Roger, one week it's Novak, and one week it's Rafa. You never know.
Q. What is it you enjoy particularly about the grass court game?
JO WILFRIED TSONGA: Maybe you can dive. Yeah, because this is the only surface you can really dive, because on the others, if you dive you go directly to the hospital. So this is good.