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sports Diaranson 25 Mei 2022

Adieu, Jo: French salute injured, retiring Tsonga at Open

PARIS (AP) — Much as Tsonga said. "I couldn't have ers around the world," said
he wanted to avoid tears, Jo- asked for a better script, apart Ruud, a 23-year-old from
Wilfried Tsonga simply could from the fact that I could Norway who joked about
not. And, he said later, he have won." being sad at age 10 when his
knew he would not. So they He appeared to have a chance favorite player, Nadal, lost
flowed freely during the final to extend the match by to Tsonga at the Australian
moments of his final match breaking to go up 6-5 in the Open. "Thank you for all the
at the French Open, the final fourth set. But at the end of memories."
singles match of his profes- that game, he wrenched his No. 3 seed Paola Badosa,
sional tennis career, and he shoulder, and that was that. whose 6-2, 6-0 victory over
wiped them away with the Ruud quickly broke back, France's Fiona Ferro followed
black sweatband on his left and Tsonga was visited by a Tsonga vs. Ruud in Chatrier,
wrist. trainer, who tried to help the said she got "super emotion-
They were not there because situation but could not. Dur- al" watching the whole scene.
of the right shoulder that was ing a three-minute medical Later, she ran into Tsonga as
so painful he couldn't proper- timeout, a band in the stands they were doing interviews
ly swing his racket by the end got fans to clap and chant It all offered the most com- Another member of Tsonga's and told him kiddingly she
of a 6-7 (8), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 "Jo! Jo!" to the rhythm of a pelling moments of Day 3, talented generation, Gilles was upset that all the hulla-
(0) loss to No. 8 seed Casper drumbeat, then played "La which included first-round Simon, has said he will re- baloo over him delayed the
Ruud on Tuesday in Court Marseillaise" as some in the victories in the men's brack- tire at the end of the season. start of her match — then
Philippe Chatrier. They were seats sang along to France's et for U.S Open champion Yet another, Gael Monfils, asked him to pose with her
there because he knows he is national anthem. Daniil Medvedev, No. 7 seed missed Roland Garros be- for a photo.
done trying to win matches, When play resumed, Tsonga Andrey Rublev and No. 24 cause he needs heel surgery He obliged.
done hearing the supportive could barely even serve, tap- Frances Tiafoe, who had — although he was there What awaits Tsonga now?
roars from spectators, done ping the ball at barely more been 0-6 at Roland Garros. Tuesday for a postmatch re- He said he'll need to have
experiencing the highs and than 60 mph (100 kph) — less Danish teenager Holger tirement ceremony in Cha- medical tests Wednesday on
lows of a professional tennis than half as fast as the boom- Rune eliminated No. 14 De- trier, along with so many his shoulder, which he said
career that featured a spot at ing offerings he was known nis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 folks who mean so much was in bad enough shape he
No. 5 in the rankings, a run for — and even tried hitting (4). to Tsonga: other players; a couldn't hold his baby.
to the 2008 Australian Open one shot left-handed as the Women who advanced to the group of his coaches dating to But Tsonga took pride from
final and France's first Davis tiebreaker ended in a shutout. second round included 2017 when he was a kid; his wife playing — well, trying to play
Cup title in 16 years — but No matter. The locals gave champion Jelena Ostapenko, and children; his parents. — until the end, rather than
also a series of injuries. Tsonga a prolonged stand- 2018 champion Simona Ha- There were video tributes conceding the match.
He's been limited to a total of ing ovation, and he went up lep, No. 9 Danielle Collins, from the greatest four male "Unfortunately, I didn't fin-
18 matches since the start of near the net, knelt and rested No. 11 Jessica Pegula and players of this era — Novak ish the way I want to finish,
2021, turned 37 last month, his forehead on the ground, No. 22 Madison Keys. Djokovic (who called Tson- but I finished on the court,
has a family now and knew creating a splotch of the rust- Tsonga leaves with 121 wins ga's retirement "a big loss for playing like I did all my ca-
this trip to Roland Garros colored clay on his face. in Grand Slam matches, a professional men's tennis"), reer, running after the ball,"
would be the perfect way to Asked later what he'll miss the record for a French man. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer Tsonga said. "It was emo-
bid adieu. most as he leaves the sport, It is a tough time for ten- and Andy Murray ("You've tional for me. And anyway,
"It was pure madness today. he replied: "The adrenaline, nis in the land of the French been a great ambassador for it's going to stay a good mo-
One of the best atmospheres stepping on a big court like Open: For the first time since the sport," he told Tsonga) — ment in my head. Yeah, in a
I have seen in my career (for) this one. Adrenaline you can 1980, there were zero men and a series of speeches. way, I finished like I wanted
my last match. I couldn't have feel when you have 15,000 or women from the country "You've been an inspiration to finish."
asked for something better," people shouting your name." seeded in the tournament. to me and many young play-

Eflin, Phillies agree to $5.7M deal, avoid arbitration

ATLANTA (AP) — Right- eligible for free agency after Hearings are scheduled Adam Duvall, pitcher Max York Mets pitcher Chris Bas-
hander Zach Eflin and the the World Series. through June 24. Play- Fried and Dansby Swanson, sitt, Minnesota catcher Gary
Philadelphia Phillies agreed No statistics or evidence ers scheduled for hearings along with New York Yankees Sánchez and Miami catcher
Tuesday to a $5.7 million, from after March 1 are ad- include Atlanta outfielder outfielder Aaron Judge, New Jacob Stallings.
one-year contract. missible other than contract
Eflin gets a $5.55 million and salary comparisons, tim-
salary this year, and the deal ing set when Major League
includes a $15 million mu- Baseball and the players' as-
tual option for 2023 with a sociation agreed to the deal
$150,000 buyout. He can that ended the lockout.
earn an additional $300,000 Teams have a 3-2 lead in de-
in performance bonuses this cisions: Seattle second base-
year for innings: $50,000 man/outfielder Adam Frazier
each for 100 and 125, $75,000 ($8 million) and Kansas City
for 150 and $125,000 for 175. outfielder Andrew Benin-
Philadelphia and Eflin had tendi ($8.5 million) won and
been scheduled for an arbi- Atlanta third baseman Austin
tration hearing on Wednes- Riley ($3.95 million), injured
day. He had asked for a raise Atlanta reliever Luke Jackson
from $4.45 million to $6.9 ($3.6 million) and St. Louis
million and had been offered outfielder Tyler O'Neill ($3.4
$5.15 million. million) also lost.
Eflin was 4-7 with a 4.17 A decision remains pending
ERA in 18 starts last year, his for Milwaukee right-hander
season cut short by surgery in Adrian Houser.
September for a torn patel- Arbitration hearings usually
lar tendon in his right knee. are held during the first three
He is 1-3 with a 3.65 ERA in weeks of February, but were
seven starts this season and is delayed by the lockout.