WATCH: Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Murray pay tribute to Tsonga following retirement

Wednesday, 25 May 2022 at 03:30

Updated at Wednesday, 13 August 2025 at 17:02

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byNurein Ahmed

Last month, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga announced that he would be retiring at this year's Roland Garros, and now his fellow peers have paid tribute to his successful playing career.

Tsonga ended an 18-year career that yielded 18 ATP titles and over 400 match wins. At his peak in 2012, he was ranked as high as World No. 5 and finished runner-up in his one and only Grand Slam final appearance at the 2008 Australian Open.

He played his last match on Tuesday, a losing effort against Casper Ruud, one of the premier clay-court players of the current generation. Tsonga certainly left it all on the court and threatened an upset, but he lost by the tightest of scorelines in four sets: 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6.

Tsonga, a bona fide pro in his prime with a wonderful serve and a hammer of a forehand was a consistent player on the ATP Tour throughout his career until injuries and age caught up with him and accelerated his decline.

He ends his playing career with 45 Top 10 wins, having beaten each of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray multiple times in high-stakes matches.

The quartet of ATP legends paid tribute to Tsongs's career in a video that the tournament shared on Twitter.

"I want to wish you a happy retirement and also to congratulate you on an amazing career. You have achieved so much, with so many highlights. You have been a great ambassador for the sport. I've always loved watching you play and competing against you. All the best, mate."

- Andy Murray

"Jo is one of the most charismatic tennis players ever to play the game. I am happy to share the court with him many times. We get along very well. He brought a lot of positive attention and popularity to our sport because of his charisma and personality. It's a big loss for professional men's tennis to have him retire."

- Novak Djokovic

"He's very charismatic. I've known him since we were kids. He's a good guy, and he brings a lot of positive feelings to our spot. It's sad to see him going. But we're getting old so it will happen for everyone."

- Rafael Nadal