Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stunned one and all by reaching his first Grand Slam final in 2008 — the Australian Open. This time, however, he has a lot more pressure.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga stunned one and all by reaching his first Grand Slam final in 2008 — the Australian Open. This time, however, he has a lot more pressure. The ebullient Frenchman opens up on things outside court, including how he values his privacy and whether he loves to cook…
On hiring a tennis court…
I was 12 years old and was on holiday with my parents in Bretagne (Brittany) in France, near the Atlantic. They paid, so I’m not sure how much it was!
On meeting childhood hero Pat Rafter…
Last week in Brisbane I saw Pat Rafter. He was always one of my favourite players. I was outside the court while he was on the court playing with someone from the crowd. I was like “Oh!” But I didn’t actually get a chance to say hello and shake his hand.
On cooking for myself?
Just before I left Paris for the Australian tournaments. It was just some pasta and meat. I like cooking.
On Sharing hotel room with another player
A long time ago. Even when I was around No.400 in ranking I always preferred to be alone in the room. I value my privacy.
On whether he prefers any competitive sport other than tennis?I played a lot of football and basketball with a club back when I was about 13 years old. More football than basketball.
Did anyone ask you whether you are a tennis player?In the streets of Sydney… They said ‘Are you a tennis player?’ and I said ‘Yes, I am’. And then I saw some little boys at the tennis and they asked me ‘Are you James Blake?’
Being recognised helps?
I was at a restaurant in front of the Opera House and they gave me a good table with a very nice view.
On breaking a string in a match…
In Brisbane against Nieminen. I think because of the long rallies. But last year I didn’t break many strings at all.
On visiting a country for the first time…Thailand, when I went to Bangkok for the Thailand Open. We called it the country of smiles because everyone had a smile on their face.
Did you ask anyone for autograph?I was never into collecting autographs.
Have you ever forgotten something important?I forgot about a press conference in Paris, when 50 journalists were waiting for me. I was shopping for clothes while they were all waiting. I arrived one hour late. It was a press conference at the end of December.
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