San Francisco Frontiers - Tsonga says tearful farewell after French Open defeat

NYSE - LSE

RBGPF	0%	67.74	$
CMSC	-1.22%	20.44	$
BTI	0.97%	54.86	$
RIO	-4.38%	99.39	$
NGG	-1.18%	76.38	$
RELX	-1.27%	33.82	$
GSK	-1.06%	48.12	$
BCE	-0.34%	23.25	$
CMSD	-1.03%	20.34	$
AZN	1.69%	159.64	$
JRI	-0.25%	12.08	$
BP	0.87%	46.08	$
RYCEF	-2.61%	19.13	$
VOD	1.15%	17.33	$
BCC	-1.17%	75.05	$

Tsonga says tearful farewell after French Open defeat

SPORTS 24.05.2022

Tsonga says tearful farewell after French Open defeat / Photo: © AFP

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a former Australian Open runner-up and world number five, bid an emotional goodbye to tennis at Roland Garros on Tuesday after losing in the first round to Casper Ruud.

Text size:

The 37-year-old Tsonga, who announced last month he would retire following the French Open, was beaten 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 7-6 (7/0) by the Norwegian eighth seed.

"I hope the world can soon find as much peace I found today. Thank you Roland Garros. Thank you Mister Tennis. I love you," said Tsonga.

With a brass band blasting out 'La Marseillaise' at intervals, Tsonga delighted the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier by taking the opening set, but Ruud, who won the Geneva title last week, hit back to claim the next two sets.

The Frenchman broke for a 6-5 lead in the fourth set but was unable to serve out, immediately calling for the trainer before the tie-break and taking a medical timeout for treatment to his right shoulder.

Ruud comfortably sealed victory against a visibly ailing Tsonga, who fought back tears before the final point of his 18-year career.

A video tribute of Tsonga's career highlights played inside the stadium as friends, family and fellow players gathered on court for his retirement ceremony.

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer -- all players Tsonga beat at Grand Slams -- sent their well-wishes in a series of video messages.

Tsonga, unseeded, lost the 2008 Australian Open final to Djokovic as the Serb claimed the first of his 20 Grand Slam titles.

He made it to the semi-finals twice at both the French Open and Wimbledon and finished runner-up to Federer at the ATP Finals in 2011.

Tsonga earned Olympic silver in the men's doubles alongside Michael Llodra at London 2012 and was part of France's Davis Cup triumph in 2017.

He also won two Masters titles -- in Paris in 2008 and Toronto in 2014.

However, his struggles with a number of different injuries in recent years has seen his ranking tumble to 297.

W.Thompson--SFF

Featured

Turning up the heat: Arteta reveals 'challenges' for Arsenal stars

Mikel Arteta has revealed he sets challenges for his Arsenal players including delaying their meals and turning up the heat in the dressing room in a bid to keep them focused.

Arsenal boss Arteta 'very surprised' at Jesus blast over Barcelona move

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was "very surprised" by Gabriel Jesus's claim that he was forced to train alone and was given no information prior to joining Barcelona.

F2 crash in Madrid underlines fears over 'riskiest track'

Formula Two driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak escaped unhurt after his car burst into flames during practice on Friday when he crashed into a safety barrier, underlining driver fears about the safety of the new Madring circuit which will host its first Spanish Grand Prix this weekend.

Maresca says spotlight not on him ahead of Manchester derby

Enzo Maresca said Friday he was not the "main focus" as he prepares to take charge of his first Manchester derby, seeking to maintain his team's 100 percent record this season.