Questions and Answers with Jo Wilfried Tsonga

Jo Wilfried Tsonga is one of the more talented players in the ATP top 10.  He plays a brand of tennis fans love to watch, particularly on the grass at Queens and Wimbledon.

Recently Tsonga employed a full time coach for the first time in over a year.   His choice of coach was Australian Roger Rasheed, a man who has worked with Lleyton Hewitt and Gael Monfils and is considered to be a tough coach, one who works his pupils hard.  So it is an interesting choice for Tsonga at this stage of his career.

That’s because Tsonga has suddenly reached middle age in tennis terms, teetering on veteran status.  At the age of 28, there are not that many years left to be had in the top 10, and now would be as good a time as any to try to win a maiden grand slam title. 

Tsonga’s final appearance in the 2008 Australian Open showed what he is capable of as an attacking force.  Injuries and inconsistency have slowed Tsonga down slightly, and he had to make the choice of switching from a classic all court Wilson racquet to a more modern Babolat Aero ProDrive, which is easier on the limbs.  The racquet switch has allowed Tsonga to remain relatively injury free over the last two years.

With that in mind, I think it is a very positive move to hire Roger Rasheed as coach.  Like Murray’s appointment of Lendl, Tsonga has shown that he is prepared to put in the hard work to attempt to take his game to the next level.  Rasheed’s task is to help Tsonga develop a reliable game plan and strategies on court, and to stick to them, allowing for flashy shots only when it is warranted.  But also to get to a level of fitness that will allow him to stay with the likes of Murray and Djokovic on the slower surfaces we have today.  Maintaining a high level of fitness and sticking to a game plan will hopefully allow Tsonga a better chance to use his big weapons to winning effect.

But we also have to remember that Tsonga is part of a tradition of stylish French players of past and present.  A lot of people would have loved to see how Tsonga’s game matched up in the previous era of attacking players.  But what would be even better is seeing Tsonga win a major tournament playing a hybrid brand of attacking tennis; last year at Wimbledon Tsonga and Mardy Fish played one of the most enjoyable matches I’ve seen live for some time, with both players regularly serve and volleying on 1st serve and staying back on 2nd serve.  As I mentioned in a previous article in July 2011, that could help inspire a whole new generation of players who want to challenge the current counterpunching style of tennis.

I managed to correspond with Tsonga during the last week while he was playing in Madrid.  I was able to ask some questions about his game and his opinion on where the game is today; fans are always interested to know what top players think about their own game and where the game of tennis heading:

1. You have recently started working with new coach Roger Rasheed; you have been playing without a full time coach for a couple of years.  What persuaded you to hire a new coach and Roger Rasheed in particular?

I liked my freedom but realized that I needed some outside help to work on some aspects of my game.  In order to improve I had to hire a new coach that I could trust and develop new parts of my game.

2.    Roger Rasheed has a reputation for being a tough working coach.  How do you think those qualities can help in your game?

He is a tough worker but I am practicing with a lot of intensity which is what is needed now to practice well and not waste any time.  Roger helps on and off the court and am already reaping the benefits of our work.

  

3.    Which areas of your game do you think are working well right now, and what do you think can be improved?

I can improve lots of part of my game but my backhand is probably a good area to work on in order to improve.  I am also trying to be more patient on the court and wait for the good opportunity when I am playing.

4.    There is a lot of discussion that surfaces are too slow right now, especially with the prevalence of hardcourts and the disappearance of indoor carpet from the tour. As a top 10 player, do you think surface speeds are ok or would you like to see some faster surfaces on the tour more often to help attacking tennis?

The question is more complex than just speed, you could add balls, playing conditions, scheduling to the list.  As far as speed goes we see changes throughout the year but it has been noticed that in recent years we've come back to slightly slower conditions.

5.    You are a big fan favourite at Wimbledon; fans love to watch your style of play, improvisation and Boris Becker diving! I think you are capable of winning Wimbledon before your career is over, how do you see your chances at Wimbledon this year?

As always I enjoy playing at Wimbledon for everything the tournament represents.  Once again I will play my hardest to go one step further and try to reach the final.  I have had great memories there but I am looking to built up on my previous experiences.

  

6.    From the previous generations, which players inspired you the most? Which players would you have liked to play?

There were a few players that I looked up to.  I first got into following tennis with the Davis Cup final between Sweden and France when Arnaud Boetsch save match point to win the decisive tie.  I have been a fan of Pat Rafter as well.

  

7.    The French have produced an incredible amount of players who play well on grass, the athleticism required and improvisation suit the French style.  Players like Tauziat, Mauresmo, Forget, Pioline, Gasquet, Grosjean, Mahut and yourself.  I do not know of many grass courts in France so why do French players play so well on grass in your opinion?

This is a good question, worth inquiring with the technical directors at the French Tennis Federation.  I have always liked grass because I have the weapon to allow me to move forward and with my size I know it takes a great passing shot to put me down! 

  

8.    Do you think attacking tennis can make a comeback in future?  Not in terms of hitting the ball hard but transition play, coming to net, serving and volleying on 1st serves on a regular basis, is there a future for attacking tennis?

I hope so as I like to see some inspired play from up and coming players.  Attacking the ball and coming to the net has always been fascinating to me.  The era of the Becker, Sampras and a few others was truly fun to watch.  I am not saying it is now boring but the game shifted to a stance of baseline power hitter, which I would include myself in.  I do like to come to the net, serve and volley and would recommend it!