Jo-Wilfried Tsonga did not hold back tears after retiring at Roland Garros | VIDEO

The competition at Roland Garros continues and this Tuesday there was an emotional chapter: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (ATP: 297) ended his professional career at the age of 37. The French tennis player faced the Norwegian Casper Ruud (ATP: 8) in the first round of the second Grand Slam of the 2022 season, with the support of the local public in Paris.

‘Ali Tsonga’ started winning 7-6 (8-6) in tie-break, but could not keep up the pace and lost the series 1-3, after a tight fourth set. However, the result was in the background, since the end of the meeting gave way to a gushing applause for the Le Mans-born athlete.

Applause was felt in unison at Court Philippe-Chatrier, while the tennis player returned the gesture by raising his arms. The emotion overflowed in Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who could not hold back the tears, as he got down on his knees and laid his head on the clay court.

Shortly after, the French legend expressed his excitement at a press conference. “There was a bit of everything in my career. Great moments and also injuries. It seemed that there was a kind of script or scenario, against rivals who were always very solid on the other side of the network. All that has been part of my career”, he explained initially.

“I think I’ve faced incredible opponents throughout my journey. Yes, there are the top four, but not only them. Also Del Potro, Cilic, Wawrinka, Ferrer and other great competitors. Today I am happy to have played with Casper (Ruud), fighting and almost coming back against such a solid guy in the last game of my career. It’s what I wanted to do today. I wanted to finish this way, on the track, giving my bestTsonga added.

Finally, Jo-Wilfried thanked the public for showing affection at Roland Garros: “He was aware that something was going to happen. It was exciting to see my first coaches on the court, including my parents. I didn’t want to think about retiring, I just wanted to live in the moment, which is what I did. I enjoyed it very much”.

“They are all very happy as they managed to make me cry. It will be a moment that will stay forever in my memory, my eyes were teary, I didn’t know what to do. When I see the images again it will be very emotional. I will miss the adrenaline, being on a huge track, with 15,000 people supporting me”, concluded Tsonga.