Blogger Fabian Ziemer talked to football fan Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Paris – just in time for the World Cup.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga enters the Adidas Lounge at the French Open with his family in a good mood and with a happy smile. He glances briefly at the Center Court to Juan Martin Del Potro, he looks at a few rallies, but then the focus is on his little son again.
“The kid likes to play football with a tennis ball. And that from morning to evening”, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga smiles and rolls the ball to the ground once more. France’s darling has little reason to smile. He has been suffering from a painful knee injury for some time. The return to the tour: uncertain. But on this day, the Frenchman shows himself as he is known: in a good mood and always ready for a joke.
Adidas gave me almost an hour to talk to “Jo” for my blog inlovewithtennis.com about his role as a family man, his life off the road or his “Hot Spots around the world”. And of course about the upcoming Football World Cup.
“Until I was 13 years old, I spent a lot of time on the tennis court and played football with my friends every day. But in the end I had to choose between two sports. Thank God tennis was chosen,” the Frenchman explains with a smile.
He is still a big football fan today and he is looking forward to the World Cup in Russia. When asked about his favourite, he has a clear answer: “La Mannschaft is still La Mannschaft”.
This refers to the German team around Jogi Löw. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga emphasises how impressed he is by the team spirit of the German kickers, who in his opinion do not need a great superstar to defend the title this year.
“Whether tennis or football: we athletes all strive for success, want to deliver great matches and win in the end. But one thing you must never forget: To play the common passion for his country and to give everything for his team mates. This is exactly what makes us so strong in the French Davis Cup Team.”
The 33-year-old uses the time out due to injury to spend as much time as possible with his family. Life on the tour is stressful enough because of the constant travelling and so he enjoys his time at home with his friends.
“I will watch every match of the Equipe Tricolore. You are a young team and play attractive, offensive football. The decisive factor for this team is a successful start from the very first encounter.”
The 60 minutes in the lounge below the tribune of the Philip Chatrier with the French top star fly by. You can read on my blog www.inlovewithtennis.com – get inspired for a better time on court what his hotspots are in Paris, which countries he loves to travel to, why he likes #girlzontour best and what he discussed with Gilles Simon in the bleachers of Philip Chartrier at the age of 13.
I am #inlovewithtennis
Fabian