Now is the time for Tsonga
Now is the time for Tsonga
Saturday, 26 January, 2008
By Tristan Foenander
http://www.australianopen.com/
A cool and calm Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has declared himself ready for his
shot at Australian Open glory as he prepares to go into battle against
Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final on Sunday.
Tsonga, whose whirlwind rise through the tournament has surprised even
the most optimistic tennis pundit, was in good spirits as he addressed
the media on Saturday morning, saying he is very much looking forward
to the final, but expects a tough encounter.
"We (Djokovic and Tsonga) will play tomorrow in the final and it's going
to be a big moment of sports," Tsonga said.
"I know it's going to be difficult but I'm here and ready for that."
Tsonga's rise to prominence in the last 12 months has been most remarkable.
At one stage last year he was contesting a small challenger event in London
at the same time the French Open was being played.
He said that the experience of playing on the challenger circuit gave him
the drive to scale the rankings in a bid to play at his home Grand Slam.
"I was sad to (not be playing at Roland Garros)," he said.
"But now I'm here (in a final) and maybe I'll be seeded this year, so it
was a good choice for me."
The easy-going Frenchman said that while he is shocked about how quickly
he has reached his first Grand Slam final, he will try to not let the
occasion overawe him.
"I don't believe it (being in a Grand Slam final), but I'm here and I
have to do it (play)," he said.
A philosophical Tsonga will try to use the emotion from the crowd to
lift his game and said he plans to just go out there and play his usual
game.
"I like that and I'm good - I feel good in this atmosphere," he said.
"(I'm going to) Just play - just do my best, and that's it.
"If I win that's unbelievable. And if I lose, I did my best."
And when asked whether beers and a barbecue would feature in his Australia
Day plans, Tsonga was quick to reply 'no, no no'.
Instead, he will settle for movies and music as he gets ready for the
biggest tennis match of his life.
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