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sports Wednesday 25 May 2022
Adieu, Jo: French salute injured, retiring Tsonga at Open

By HOWARD FENDRICH There were video tributes
AP Tennis Writer from the greatest four male
PARIS (AP) — Much as he players of this era — Novak
wanted to avoid tears, Djokovic (who called Tson-
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga simply ga's retirement "a big loss
could not. And, he said lat- for professional men's ten-
er, he knew he would not. nis"), Rafael Nadal, Roger
So they flowed freely during Federer and Andy Murray
the final moments of his final ("You've been a great am-
match at the French Open, bassador for the sport," he
the final singles match of his told Tsonga) — and a series
professional tennis career, of speeches.
and he wiped them away "You've been an inspiration
with the black sweatband to me and many young
on his left wrist. players around the world,"
They were not there be- said Ruud, a 23-year-old
cause of the right shoul- from Norway who joked
der that was so painful he about being sad at age
couldn't properly swing his 10 when his favorite player,
racket by the end of a 6-7 Nadal, lost to Tsonga at the
(8), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (0) loss to Australian Open. "Thank
No. 8 seed Casper Ruud on you for all the memories."
Tuesday in Court Philippe No. 3 seed Paola Badosa,
Chatrier. They were there whose 6-2, 6-0 victory over
because he knows he is France's Fiona Ferro fol-
done trying to win match- lowed Tsonga vs. Ruud in
es, done hearing the sup- Chatrier, said she got "su-
portive roars from specta- per emotional" watching
tors, done experiencing the whole scene. Later,
the highs and lows of a pro- she ran into Tsonga as they
fessional tennis career that were doing interviews and
featured a spot at No. 5 in told him kiddingly she was
the rankings, a run to the upset that all the hullaba-
2008 Australian Open final loo over him delayed the
and France's first Davis Cup start of her match — then
title in 16 years — but also a France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has a mark on his forehead after kissing the clay after losing to Nor- asked him to pose with her
series of injuries. way's Casper Ruud in a first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland for a photo.
Garros stadium Tuesday, May 24, 2022 in Paris. The Frenchman retired following his first-round loss
He's been limited to a to- against Casper Ruud. He obliged.
tal of 18 matches since the Associated Press What awaits Tsonga now?
start of 2021, turned 37 last He said he'll need to have
month, has a family now France's national anthem. Daniil Medvedev, No. 7 Open: For the first time medical tests Wednesday
and knew this trip to Roland When play resumed, Tson- seed Andrey Rublev and since 1980, there were zero on his shoulder, which he
Garros would be the per- ga could barely even No. 24 Frances Tiafoe, who men or women from the said was in bad enough
fect way to bid adieu. serve, tapping the ball at had been 0-6 at Roland country seeded in the tour- shape he couldn't hold his
"It was pure madness to- barely more than 60 mph Garros. nament. baby.
day. One of the best atmo- (100 kph) — less than half Danish teenager Holger Another member of Tson- But Tsonga took pride from
spheres I have seen in my as fast as the booming of- Rune eliminated No. 14 De- ga's talented generation, playing — well, trying to
career (for) my last match. ferings he was known for — nis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 Gilles Simon, has said he play — until the end, rath-
I couldn't have asked for and even tried hitting one (4). will retire at the end of the er than conceding the
something better," Tsonga shot left-handed as the tie- Women who advanced to season. Yet another, Gael match.
said. "I couldn't have asked breaker ended in a shutout. the second round included Monfils, missed Roland Gar- "Unfortunately, I didn't fin-
for a better script, apart No matter. The locals gave 2017 champion Jelena Os- ros because he needs heel ish the way I want to finish,
from the fact that I could Tsonga a prolonged stand- tapenko, 2018 champion surgery — although he was but I finished on the court,
have won." ing ovation, and he went Simona Halep, No. 9 Dani- there Tuesday for a post- playing like I did all my ca-
He appeared to have a up near the net, knelt and elle Collins, No. 11 Jessica match retirement ceremo- reer, running after the ball,"
chance to extend the rested his forehead on the Pegula and No. 22 Madison ny in Chatrier, along with Tsonga said.
match by breaking to go ground, creating a splotch Keys. so many folks who mean "It was emotional for me.
up 6-5 in the fourth set. But of the rust-colored clay on Tsonga leaves with 121 wins so much to Tsonga: oth- And anyway, it's going to
at the end of that game, he his face. in Grand Slam matches, a er players; a group of his stay a good moment in
wrenched his shoulder, and Asked later what he'll miss record for a French man. coaches dating to when my head. Yeah, in a way,
that was that. Ruud quickly the most as he leaves It is a tough time for tennis he was a kid; his wife and I finished like I wanted to
broke back, and Tsonga the sport, he replied: "The in the land of the French children; his parents. finish."q
was visited by a trainer, adrenaline, stepping on
who tried to help the situa- a big court like this one. LIKE US ON
tion but could not. During a Adrenaline you can feel
three-minute medical time- when you have 15,000 peo-
out, a band in the stands ple shouting your name."
got fans to clap and chant It all offered the most com-
"Jo! Jo!" to the rhythm of pelling moments of Day 3,
a drumbeat, then played which included first-round
"La Marseillaise" as some victories in the men's brack- Facebook.com/arubatoday/
in the seats sang along to et for U.S Open champion