Focusing on football... with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 法網 Tennis

Focusing on football... with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Friday, May 28, 2010
By Eric Frosio (translation by Corentine Howe)


France’s No.1 player, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, dreams of winning Roland Garros
some day. When he was younger, his dream was to be a football player for
Marseilles. Read on for more about football from the French favourite…

What is your first football memory?

When I was a kid, in Le Mans. There was a lawn in the suburbs where my
parents lived where I would play with my friends every day after school,
sometimes until nightfall. Some days I’d pretend to be Franck Sauzée taking
free-kicks, some days I was Chris Waddle or even Rudi Voeller, a real fox in
the box. Those were the good old days.

Who was your childhood idol?

First it was Chris Waddle, then George Weah, and then Didier Drogba.

Which is your favourite team?

My heart is with Le Mans but the team that really gets me excited is
Marseilles. I really like the passion that team inspires.

Which is your favourite stadium?

The Stade de France.

Who do you think will be the biggest surprise at the World Cup?

Argentina. With Maradona in charge, I’m sure there will be fireworks. I have
a really good feeling about Argentina.

What about the biggest disappointment?
I’m afraid it will be South Africa. I’m very worried about them.

Who would you pay good money to see in South Africa?

Messi.

How much would you pay for your favourite player’s shirt?

That depends on who gets the money. If it’s for a charity I’d be willing to
put down quite a bit of money. If not, I’d pay the official price.

Which fans are the best?

Everyone was telling me about the English fans but, when I went to a few
matches, I was disappointed. It was like they were crooning lullabies. The
Italians know how to make some noise. Watching on the television, it looks
like they get very excited. But I have to say that the French fans are pretty
great too.

If you could play 90 minutes with any team, which would it be and what
position?

Hmmm…In Le Mans they might give me a chance (laughs). I’m kidding… In a
passionate country, like Brazil, playing for Flamengo at the Maracana in
front of a capacity crowd.

Who is your favourite manager?

Not Jose Mourinho! I don’t like managers who toot their own horns. I prefer
Arsène Wenger or Laurent Blanc, managers who know to be humble and put the
team first.

What’s the best goal you’ve ever seen?

The one I thought was out of this world was the second one by Tutu (Lilian
Thuram), in the 1998 World Cup semi-final against Croatia. He scores with his
left foot, kneels down, puts his finger on his lips… and that was the goal
that put France through into the final. It was totally unreal.

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