Tsonga's Joie de Vivre Fuels Yet Another Wimbledon Run

News

Scores

Rankings

Lucky Letcord Podcast

Shop

Pro Gear

Pickleball

Gear Sale

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Tsonga's Joie de Vivre Fuels Yet Another Wimbledon Run

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: Getty Images

(July 3rd, 2012) Some think Jo-Wilfried Tsonga should have won a Major by now. But with a history of injuries and mental lapses in big matches over the years, Tsonga despite all his amazing athletic gifts has yet to reach another Grand Slam final since he did so in Melbourne back in 2008.

But once again Tsonga appears on the verge of making a return trip to the Wimbledon semis and maybe even deeper after winning his fourth round match today against America's Mardy Fish. Grass rewards the power and variety of the big Frenchman's game, one that he's improved even without the aid of a coach as Tsonga has gone solo since April of last year.

"Since I don’t have coach, I just play. I just enjoy, you know, tennis," said Tsonga when asked about the changes in his game since he last had a coach." You know, just like I said before, I try to enjoy every moment. I try to improve my game. When I practice, you know, of course there is nobody to tell me what to do, but I have an idea of tennis, you know. When I watch me on some video and everything, I can say, you know, here I’m not good, here I’m not good, so I have to improve it. I will improve it. I work like this."

Though some question Tsonga's decision to not have a full-time coach, one can't argue with his results of late that have seen the Frenchman achieve a career high ranking of No. 5 just a few months ago and reach the finals of the ATP World Tour Championships late last year. But while Tsonga is very capable of getting white-hot on a court and take out anyone, the lingering question if he can do it back-to-back times, especially if he faces Andy Murray in the semis and possibly either Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in the finals.

Tsonga's unpredictable brilliance has won him and lost him more matches than even he can remember, especially against the very best. His inability to close out Djokovic in Paris a few weeks ago after having four match points was the latest example but again perhaps Tsonga's greatest weapon is his penchant for just swinging away and feeling the moment, rather than letting the moment, big as it is, dictate how he should play.

Even Mardy Fish agreed that watching Tsonga in full flight on court is something else.

"I like the way he plays," said Fish. "I like his style. I like the way he goes about his business around tennis. You know, he’s definitely French, but he’s got an unbelievable ‑‑ he’s an unbelievably athletic player. Sometimes when his mind runs, he can get away with it with his physical ability. He’s a lot of fun to watch when you’re not playing him. "

Tsonga doesn't seem to worry about pressure, even though some think he should use it to fuel his game in the critical moments. But maybe that's more due to the man himself and not the tennis player that we all know on the court.

"I don’t have approach to pressure, you know. You know, in my life I try to stay positive, to have the smile every time, to enjoy every moment I spend on this earth. I know there is a lot of people who suffer a lot, and I’m not suffering in any way. I’m healthy. I hit well every day. I mean, I play tennis in beautiful place like this. My family is okay. You know, I have everything, you know, to have the smile every time."

It's hard to argue against someone who recognizes his great gifts and the opportunities he has to share them with tennis fans across the world. If Tsonga's love affair with tennis brings him closer to the biggest title in the sport remains to be seen, but it's for certain Tsonga will enjoy every moment of it.