Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Tsonga ready for the heat

AAP Tuesday 13 January 2009 2 Comments »

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga says to hell with the so-called Big Four of men’s tennis, it should be the Big Five.

The revelation of the 2008 Australian Open, when he finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic, Tsonga sternly believes he can go one better at Melbourne Park this month.

After reaching the quarterfinals in Brisbane last week, Tsonga will continue his Open preparations on Wednesday with his opening match at the Medibank International Sydney against Italian Simon Bolelli.

With temperatures predicted to rise into the 40s in Sydney tomorrow, Tsonga said the tournament would be perfect preparation for his tilt at a first Grand Slam title.

“I think it’s a good thing for me to be on the court at this moment, because, next week maybe it’s going to be hot also,” Tsonga told the media.

“So I have to play with this temperature one time to be ready for next week.”

Tsonga on Tuesday declared himself more than capable of upstaging Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic at the season-opening grand slam starting next Monday.

“I think I can beat them because I did it already, so I will try another time,” he said.

Tsonga feels stronger than when he arrived for the Australia last summer, a relative unknown ranked 43rd in the world, insists he has a better backhand and says he isn’t bothered one bit by the added expectation that has come with his 2008 successes.

“No pressure, because I just prepare for the Australian Open,” he said.

“I just want to play my best tennis all the time on all tournaments, so I never put pressure on me. I just play my game. That’s it.”

That game, built on raw power and unbridled passion, has helped Tsonga not only rise to sixth in the rankings but also attract a legion of fans across the globe.

Seeded at the Open for the first time, Tsonga is banking on fans’ support to inspire him to another great run in Melbourne.

“I hope the crowd will be with me, and I will do everything for that,” the 23-year-old said.

“Yeah it helped a lot [last year] because, for me, tennis is pleasure. So when you have the crowd with you, it’s just amazing feeling.”

Video: Tsonga talks the talk

Player profile: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

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