This is the end of the career he dreamed of and the central Roland-Garros gave it to him. At 37, Jo Wilfried Tsonga finally decided to hang up his racquet after an eighteen-year career. Considered as one of the best French players of the Open era, the Manceau will have achieved some successes in his career. From his final at the Australian Open to his two victories in the Masters 1000, he has enchanted the public with his overpowering forehand and his desire to win.
Despite a magnificent match yesterday against the seeded number 8, the Norwegian Casper Ruud, he had to give up his arms in four sets before offering himself a tribute ceremony in the company of his lifelong friends, Gaël Monfils, Gilles Simon, Benoît Paire and Richard Gasquet. A few minutes after this beautiful moment, the wife of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Noura El Shwekh answered questions from Parisian and she gave her feelings after this very emotional moment. “I feel some relief, not because he is no longer a tennis player, but because, for me, he had the match he dreamed of. I would of course have preferred that he spared himself the small injury at the end but, otherwise, it was a perfect outing”she summarizes.
He will inevitably have a little slump, because tennis has animated his life since his childhood.
Inevitably disappointed to see him go out in the first round, Noura is no less admiring of the strength and courage displayed by the father of her two boys. Now behind him, his career is in danger of failing him, as happens to all great champions. “He is bound to have a little slump, because tennis has animated his life since his childhood. He’s going to have to find a new rhythm.”says his wife, even if she ends on a positive note: “He was never someone who was afraid to quit. He chose when it had to happen and, above all, he felt like it. It’s not a forced quit. Physically and psychologically he was tired. It was time for it to stop”.
From now on, the couple will be able to enjoy family moments, but obviously, it should only last a while. “Jo is a careerist who likes to work a lot, so I would be surprised if I found him for myself”concludes Noura.
Find the interview of Noura El Shwekh in full on the site of the Parisian.