[krn81]

I just saw the end of the first set, he already lost his serve.
The clay court looks awful

[amdany]

[Dini]

Clay is just not your thing Jo.

[Bashak]

He was up 5-3 in the second and was serving for the set. Then I had to go away from the screen. I was assuming to catch the third. I come back only to see it's over

I saw Jo scraping his knee pretty bad in the replays at the end. He also fell down his shirt was all clay red.

[simplet]

I saw most of the match and it was pretty weird. In the first he was a bit heavy and slow, making some mistakes, and couldn't touch Llubo's serve. Then I saw the second set until 3-1 for him, and he was playing awesomely, very aggressive but with more safety. I came back to see him serving for the match at 5-3, and he was spraying balls all over the place and into the net, I don't really know why.

Maybe something is wrong wiith him again, because from time to time he touched hs knee, and a few times he kind of "crumbled" upon impact with the ball, with a big "HAN", though he seems to do that a lot when I see him play, I don't know what that means .

Let's hope he'll have some good matches next week before RG, but Lluba was pretty good I must say, especially on serve.

[reggie1]

Jo lost, what a crap week this has been so far! never mind Jo, we all still love you, Lubo can still be a tricky competitor who can turn it on when he wants to.

[SelvenluvJo]

Originally Posted by infinityfed

Clay is just not your thing Jo.

[Turquoise]

It was a case of experience versus exhuberance, and experience won.

Jo’s aggressive style is commendable; however he needs to be more patient at times and not over-force the issue at crucial moments. He succumbed to a flurry of unforced errors when serving at 5-3, and failed to capitalise on several breakpoint opportunities, notably at 3-0 which would have given him a comfortable double break. Identifying and punishing his opponent’s weaknesses can be as, if not more, effective than concentrating on his own strengths. For example, it was perplexing why he kept serving to Ljubicic’s backhand on the ad side despite being stung time and time again on the returns?

In the final analysis, Jo’s lack of competitive matches on clay was patently obvious. There are real positives in his game and we haven’t seen yet how good he can be on clay. Hopefully, he will be able to work himself into the RG draw, as he will meet weaker opponents in initial rounds and and can use the best of five set format to get himself back into a winning position when he’s down. Not to forget the phenomenal home support on which he thrives I sincerely hope to see him give the best of himself there and succeed – I’ll be behind him all the way. All the best Jo!

[krn81]

His interview after the match:
http://www.welovetennis.fr/jo-tsonga...-ivan-ljubicic

My best part:

Les courts de la Caja Magica…
Je n’ai pas le droit de dire du mal de l’ATP (sourire)…

The courts of Caja Magica?
Jo: I am not allowed to say bad things about the ATP (smile)

The best answer a player could give I like it

[Turquoise]

Thanks krn81 for the post match interview. I have a little bit of time on my hands, I will translate shortly.

[Turquoise]

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - "Je suis dans le bon timing"

Jo gave the impression of serenity in the press conference following his defeat against Ljubicic.

The match

Today, I felt as good as yesterday. The opponent was simply better. Regarding the first set, I have nothing to reproach myself for. In the second set, I served for the set … and unfortunately, I did not manage this service game properly. Normally, in this type of situation, I am serene. This time, no. The next time, I will apply myself to doing better. What disappointed me today, is that I could not go further in the tournament. I have regrets, of course. But to be frank, it’s not really the priority in my season. I will simply try to do better next time.


A worthy opponent

Overall, Ivan played very well. Returned very well, on the baseline : I only have to say « well done ! » I expected that, in view of what he already showed at the Australian Open. He’s a good match player, and he’s playing better and better recently.


The incident with the cameras

I went to serve for the second set, it was an important moment, I was concentrated. Nervous. And when, at the moment where you toss the ball, you hear « clac clac clac… » it’s annoying ! You tell them the first time. You explain to them that they can take plenty of photos throughout the match, when you’re leading 15-0 or 40-0 for example… But, at important moments…. (sighs) Briefly, they start again just after, and then … You repeat a second time. At this moment, frankly, this drives you nuts ! It ‘s painful… On one hand, it’s also my fault. I have to remain focused. But, frankly, I wish they would sometimes have more tact when the guy is ultra concentrated.


Leg problem ?

I don’t lean well on left leg. It’s a technical problem, but I feel absolutely no pain. It’s been a while since I’ve been doing this…


Positive attitude

I could have done much better… But I can’t win all the time ! It ‘s twice in a row now that I lose early, but in a sense, it’s a good thing : I will re-assess myself, be philosophical about it. I continue my journey, and hope to arrive at Roland with maximum confidence.


The courts of Caja Magica…

I am not allowed to say anything bad about the ATP (smiles)…


Dans les starts pour Roland ** not sure of this expression

Although I did not make it today, I feel ready to attack 3 set matches. Despite all the running I did, I felt at the end of the match that I could do so for another 3 hours !


Countdown before the French Open ?

I am not an accountant, not to the nearest cent (laughter). I have the feeling my timing is good. *NB: sorry, can't find the right context here


World Team Cup : ideal preparation for Roland Garros ?

Knowing that we will play minimum three matches, that’s good. That’s what is needed. But I can’t say that there’s an « ideal » way of preparing. The important thing is to play on clay before arriving at Roland Garros. To perform well in the match. To be ready.


Is it enough to have played only 3 matches on clay 10 days before Roland Garros ?

It’s not a lot. But if that’s something to talk about, that’s cool… (smile)


Nadal dethroned at Porte d’Auteuil : a plausible scenario ?

Why not ? And what if he has a little sprain ? (laughter) (Obviously, I don’t wish that on him) He plays very well, and it will be difficult, it’s true. But, if I’m playing in a tournament, it’s with the intention of winning it. I aspire for the title !

[Truc]

Originally Posted by Naina

just out of curiousity how many tatoos does gael have?

One of each wrist, but they're pretty big.

I didn't see much of Jo in Madrid because I left before his match on Monday and on Tuesday I had to leave for the airport after 3 games already, so I just saw him get broken. Plus the battery of my camera died at the beginning of his match, so I couldn't take any pics either, I just have a few:
http://picasaweb.google.de/Trucsdetennis/TennisMadrid2
I saw him practice with Troicki in the morning and he was looking good, smiling, I didn't notice anything wrong with him. It was quite obvious by watching him in training last year in Hamburg that something was wrong with him, he was looking in better spirits in Madrid (I know the comparison is weird, but Hamburg is the last time I saw him in person).

I love his answer about the Caja Magica too! But he's definitely oversensitive with things happening around him in matches, the ballkids, the photographers, people talking in the crowd... It's true one can hear the photographers a lot in Madrid because the stadium is so damn empty and any little sound starts resonating in it, but it's crazy Jo can't get over it.

[Truc]

I hadn't seen your post, Turquoise, thanks a lot!
"dans les starts" means "in the starting blocks".

[amdany]

I didn't know you went to the tournament Fran, just hop you had a blast!!

[darkdesigns]

Tsonga is one of my favorite players and I am rooting for him to get deep in the French Open

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Profile