In 2008 he stormed onto the ATP tour like a tsunami. This year he has established himself as one of the best players. In this interview he talks about his popularity, his african roots and his first name.
Monsieur Tsonga, around the world you have fans cheering for you. What is your secret?
There is no secret. I am who I am. I think that people like me because of the way I play and because I show my feelings. I am athletic. When I hit a smash I jump as high as a basketbal player. The public likes that.
Do you see yourself as a showman?No. I am not pretending. It’s just fun to play the way I play and I will never change the way I play. The problem is that sometimes my thoughts aren’t on the court. I lose my concentration- and a match could be gone.
Do you throw matches away?
Yes it happens. For me it’s important to feel good. I need to feel the public. I need the energy of the fans. When the atmosphere is lacking, I think to myself: what am I playing for? For nothing! I’d rather have the audience against me than an audience that doesn’t care.
Are you moody? (as in like moodswings)
(smiles) Yes, a little. I need good vibes, for inspiration. Tennis is a fight. When everything is right, I become an animal on court. Then my second ‘me’ comes out.
Does that mean that offcourt you are less extrovert?
I am calmer, I don’t like to be in the center of attention. I appreciate the small things in life: to be outside in nature, catching fish. I used to go fishing a lot, but I don’t have the time anymore. Now I go fishing maybe ten times a year.
I heard you like to cook?
Yes I do. Desserts are my specialty, especially tiramisu.
You are one of the stars on Tour. What differs you from Federer and Nadal?
A lot. Everybody has a different way to success. Federer mixes up his game perfectly, Nadal tries to tire his opponent out. Djokovic, Murray and Del Potro also have a different style. There is a lot of diversity. It’s so much fun to play in this era.
And you are playing the part of an artist?
I like all aspects of the game: the athleticism, the fighting, the beauty of the game. Most of all the enthusiasm. For example, Younes El Aynaoui, one of my favourite players. He had no backhand, he constantly hits forhands, goes to the net, volleys, smashes and yells “aarggh”: that’s entertainment!
When you win, you jump around the court and point at your back with your hands, like a soccer player after he’s scored a goal. What does this mean?
The first time I did that was when I beat Lleyton Hewitt at Queens two years ago. Because I won that match I entered the top 100. Since then it’s my lucky dance, my trademark. I celebrate with it after all my victories.
Do you think your fans expected more of you after your AO final in 2008?
Yeah but it makes sense that people would have expectations. I haven’t played that well ever since. I was unbelievably fast, punchy and fierce.
Rafael Nadal, whom you beat in the semi final, said: I had no chance to stop somebody playing at this level.
Everything fitted perfectly. I felt like in a videogame: everything I wanted to do, I could pull off. I was in complete controle.
After that you had a lot of injuries: Shoulder, back, abdomen and because of a kneeinjury you missed 6 months of last season. Did you play too much?
No, injuries are part of the life of a tennisplayer. You have to deal with it. But this period wasn’t that bad. I’ve watched matches from fellow players and I’ve learned from them. I’ve learned how you can train more effectively. Mentally I’ve become stronger. My dad used to say to me: Tennis is like life, you have to fight. Nothing comes naturally. You have to invest a lot, to succeed.
What else has your father taught you?
That you always have to repect your opponent. And yourself.
Is your body more prone to injuries than others?
I don’t believe so.
Could it be that your style of play is too risky?
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
You remind us of your countryman Yannick Noah.
A lot of people say that. I know Yannick well. When people compare me to him, it flatters me ofcourse. When I was younger he trained with me a few times. He gave me advice.
Also, you are always compared with Muhammed Ali. Does that annoy you?
To be honest, I don’t really care anymore. Sure it’s great to be compared to one of the greatest athletes ever, but you come to a point where you don’t want to be like somebody else.
Have you seen Alis fights?
Yes ofcourse. I’ve seen several DVDs. My dad was at his famous fight in Kinshasa between him and George Foreman. He hasn’t told me a lot about it, I should ask him about it.
Last year you visited your grandfather for the first time in Brazzaville. What does Africa mean to you?
It’s a part of me. That’s where my roots are. When I was there, I flew in the presidents private jet. We ate and fished together. But to be honest, that wasn’t important to me. The most important thing was that I could meet my grandfather. He lives in a hut. I could have bought him a house, but he doesn’t want me to. When I saw him, I understood who I am and where I am from.
Your mother is French. Do you feel African or French?
its not like a feel a certain percent french, or a certain percent african. Africa is part of my personality. When I won Johannesburg in the beginning of the year, the feeling was amazing. The armosphere, the fans who were cheering- it was amazing. But when I’m playing Davis Cup for France, I also have a lot of emotions. I am a patriot.
In 2009 you won 2 tournaments, but in GSs you've never passed QFs. Are you happy with that?
Some things were okay, others were not. My defeat at Wimbledon, in the third round against Karlovic, where I lost in 4 tight sets, was difficult. But I have to accept something like that. In Montreal was the first time that I beat Federer, eventhough he was up 5-1 in the final set. In those cases I know I am not far from the top.
You still haven’t won the big title. Which Grand Slam tournament do you want to win the most?
All of them. Melbourne, because it means I have a great start of the season. Roland Garros, because it’s a home game. Wimbledon because of the tradition. And the US Open because I like the United States and also because I won that tournament as a junior.
Could you tell us what you have spent your price money on?
A house near Genf, where I live. That’s it.
You don’t live in Le Mans anymore?
No, but I am there a lot. Le Mans is still my favourite soccer team in the french competition. My brother Enzo has played basketball for Le Mans, one of the best teams in the competition.
Le Mans is also known for its 24-hours race.
I definitely want to go and see it next year.
One last question: Tell us how you got your first name. It sounds a bit german!
I know, but it’s not a reference to Germany. Originally my parents wanted to call me Jonathan, but right before I was born friends of my parents also named their newborn Jonathan. So two days before I was born, they had to find another name. They wanted to keep the first part ‘Jo’. They went through a calender to find names that they could combine with Jo. And they found Jo-Wilfried.