His career, his projects, his association...: interview with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Beach Sport Festival in Saint-Laurent-du-Var

2023-07-06 11:00:00

Finally, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga never really left the world of tennis. Retired for a little over a year, one of the best tricolors in history is now multiplying the actions relating to this discipline which he has left his mark on.

In Saint-Laurent-du-Var this Wednesday, on Cousteau beach, he gave his time to young people through his Attrap’la ball association. Before returning to his career, his projects, and his different hats, in complete relaxation, with his feet in the sand.

You hung up the snowshoes a little over a year ago. How is life as a young retiree?

It’s not easy since I chose to be very active through my Attrap’la ball association and through the various projects I have through the All In group that I lead. We own tennis tournaments, including those in Saint-Tropez, Grasse and soon Villeneuve-Loubet, in addition to the ATP 250 in Marseille, Lyon and Metz. We also have clubs, padel centers, so it is true that I work a lot.

What is worth your presence here, in Saint-Laurent-du-Var, today (read this Wednesday)?

I work with children as part of the Beach Sport Festival. It is essential, in my opinion, to be active vis-à-vis the association. My parents did a lot when I was on the circuit, and two years ago, we decided to take over the management (with his brother Enzo, editor’s note). So now that I am president, I have decided to invest myself in a fairly global way, and not only by lending my image. I want to be present on the field, to be able to play with the kids and really spend time with them, because I like human contact.

What types of action does Catch the Ball promote?

We have a role of integration and education. The goal is to tell young people “it’s possible, and we’re ready to help you achieve your dreams”. Because having dreams is great, but making them come true is even better. We often make kids dream, but we don’t give them the opportunity to carry out their projects. That’s what I want to pass on to them through the path I took when I became a professional tennis player. And I think it’s important for young people to realize that it’s not about dreaming but about building a project.

Some doubtless dream of following the same trajectory as Tsonga. How do you view your career?

I necessarily have a benevolent look, because now, looking back, I can say that what I did was good. When I was in it, I was never satisfied. More was always needed. Today, I tell myself that if I had been asked, at 7, 8 years old, to sign for the career that I have made, I would not have hesitated.

What are your best memories as a player?

There are so many ! I absolutely loved everything I went through. Even the hardest stages I do not regret them, because they are moments that build. I loved wearing the France team jersey, playing in the Olympic Games, the Grand Slam tournaments and those on the ATP circuit because they are all unique.

Back to the news. What’s your favorite for Wimbledon?

it remains Novak (Djokovic). He is the one with the most experience, the one who has played the best lately, despite the little preparation he has on the surface. But we could see it at Roland-Garros, that’s not what prevents him from winning Grand Slam tournaments.

You also gave voice to Amazon Prime Video as a consultant. Several generations were supposed to push the Big Four into retirement…

(Cuts) They’ll push themselves out (laughs). We could see it at Roland-Garros, there is still a gap between the youngest and the Djokovic or Nadal. They’re coming to the end of their careers, and at some point they’re going to come out. So it will certainly be Novak who stays on the circuit the longest but today there is no one to push them out.

In two weeks the Hopman Cup will be held in Nice; an event you won in 2014. What memories do you have of it?

Until now, it has always been considered an exhibition. I played it in Australia, at the end of the season. This year, in my opinion, it’s a new event that is being built. In any case, personally, I had a blast playing it. It was one of the rare moments, too, when we could do mixed doubles and interact with women’s tennis. I have very good memories of it with Alizé, who is from Nice by the way, and who will be playing it again this year… for the 25th time (laughs). But otherwise, in terms of competition, it will be different I think.

Do you have projects?

The main thing is to make known in the region the All In Côte d’Azur, which welcomes young people who want to perform, and others, of all ages, who want to come and play tennis or padel on our courts and enjoy of the frame.