Top

Tsonga advised to rest for 10 days


 

Originally published on: 14/08/12 00:00

Having lost to Jeremy Chardy in his opening match at last week’s Masters 1000 tournament in Toronto, Tsonga had to pull out of this week’s event in Cincinnati after suffering a freak injury.

The world No.6 had to have eight stitches in his right knee after walking into a fire hydrant while out walking in Toronto and has been advised to rest for 10 days. Although his participation in the US Open, which starts in less than a fortnight’s time, is not believed to be in doubt, it is hardly the best preparation for the year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

Tsonga played four tough matches in the singles competition at the Olympics. Having beaten Thomaz Bellucci in the opening round, he then faced Milos Raonic in a match which created an Olympic record for the longest set. Tsonga eventually won 6-3, 3-6, 25-23 and went on to beat Feliciano Lopez in the third round.

Although he lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, Tsonga won a silver medal in the doubles alongside Michael Llodra. After another marathon victory in the semi-finals – 6-3, 4-6, 18-16 over Spain’s Lopez and David Ferrer – the Frenchmen lost to the Bryan brothers in the final.

Three days after the end of the Olympics, in which he played a remarkable 287 games, Tsonga was beaten in his first match in Toronto by Chardy. “I didn't have enough energy to move well,” he said. “It's not enough to recover.”

Although he was reluctant to get involved in tennis politics, Tsonga pointed out that he had had to play in Toronto because it was a mandatory tournament. When asked whether the ATP should reconsider their schedule around the next Olympics in 2016, Tsonga said: “Maybe we can change some things, but, I'm not a specialist. My work is to work on my tennis for the moment and not on the schedule of the ATP. If there is somebody to answer this question, it's not me.” 

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.