Tsonga opens up about the loneliness of a professional tennis player: "I've had big wins where I was unhappy"

Remember May 24, 2022. That Tuesday when, on a packed Court Philippe Chatrier, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bid farewell to the French public. At the end of a memorable final match (defeat by Casper Ruud, eventual finalist 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6), the 2008 Australian Open finalist put away his rackets.

Guest of honour on Canal +'s free-to-air "Clique" program, the French tennis legend had the opportunity to reflect on his long career. He also took the opportunity to talk about a subject close to his heart: the invisible solitude of tennis players.

Quite frankly, 'Jo' recalls: "I've had great victories where I was unhappy. I won the Japanese Grand Prix in Tokyo (in 2009, beating Youzhny in the final) and I went home. I'd left with my coach, and I was feeling a bit down. My mom said to me: that was great, that was brilliant. They had celebrated at home with their friends, with everyone. They celebrated with each other, but I was all alone in Tokyo. I didn't have my friends, I didn't have my family. [...] My greatest victory in life is to have been able to appreciate so many moments in my career. It's my children. It's the relationship I have with my family, my parents, my brothers and sisters, my mates."