‘Why am I hurting myself?’ – Former ATP world number five confirms impending retirement
Former ATP world number four Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has announced he will retire from tennis after the upcoming French Open.
The 36-year-old has had a torrid time with injuries over the last few years, with a knee complaint especially troublesome.
He has dropped to number 220 in the ATP world rankings, and has not ever really looked like regaining his former status on the ATP Tour.
Announcing his impending retirement, Tsonga said: “It’s been several years where every day there is at least one moment where I think, ‘What am I doing? Why am I hurting myself like this? Is there still a reason for me to make all this effort?’
“My head tells me ‘but you can play all your life’ and at the same time your body reminds you that your abilities to surpass yourself are no longer there. I’ve decided that I’ll stop playing tennis at French Open.
“This will be my fifteenth French Open. Roland Garros is the tournament that best represents everything I have done in my career. I hope that I will stay in shape before and be able to be who I have always been at this tournament.
“The goal is to be myself, to be Jo-Wilfried Tsonga the tennis player. I like to perform well, I have always wanted to play well.
“I have always set myself high goals to try to get what I can. For me, this will be the opportunity to do it one last time.”
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga reached a career-high position of world number five in 2012 and won 18 titles during his career.
C’est avec beaucoup d’émotions que j’annonce aujourd’hui ma décision d’arrêter ma carrière professionnelle lors du prochain tournoi de @rolandgarros 🧡
It is with great emotion that I announce today my decision to stop my career at the next French Openhttps://t.co/yCmP3wch3o— Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (@tsonga7) April 6, 2022
A Grand Slam title eluded him, although he did come close when he reached the final of the 2008 Australian Open when unseeded. He was beaten to the final by Novak Djokovic, though, who claimed the first of his 20 majors.
He has struggled to keep pace with the game over the last couple of years especially, and has dipped into the Challenger circuit this season.
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