We feel a lot of affection and pride when Hamid Laaqira talks about Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Almost thirty years ago, Hamid Laaqira trained the young tennis player, then 6 years old, at the university club of Le Mans. Since then he has always followednear or far, and remained close to the Tsonga family.
A remarkable journey
Thirty years after their first meeting, the ex-world number 5 is about to retire. And Hamid Laaqira is full of praise. “He never let go, even when it was difficult, he hung on. Jo brought a lot to tennis. We saw his fighting spirit on the field, what he gave to the other players, to the staff. Honestly, I admire him.” comments Hamid Laaqira, who notes only one regret.
“My little regret is the quarter-finals against Djokovic at Roland in 2012. He came very close. But hey, the circumstances were difficult, and Djoko is a monster. Too bad. But _you can’t blame him, he always gave his all_“confides one of the first coaches of the Sarthe tennis player.
A last Roland-Garros which promises to be very special
Hamid Laaqira will be in Paris, in the stands, for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s last Roland-Garros. He admits to being mentally prepared since a few weeks. “I know how special this Roland is going to be. There will inevitably be a lot of nostalgia. But the worst will be the next Rolands, without him. Jo is Jo. He is irreplaceable”, he continues.
As for the physical and mental form of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for this last tournamentHamid Laaqira is optimistic. “I’m sure he’s at the top. When he enters the field, it’s not to do figuration”he concludes.