Tennis world shattered over 'heartbreaking' scenes at French Open

The tennis world was left heartbroken at the French Open on Tuesday as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's 18-year career came to a close in the cruellest of fashion.

The Frenchman was granted a wildcard to compete at Roland Garros for the final tournament of his career after he made the heartbreaking call to retire last month.

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In devastating scenes on Tuesday, Tsonga was brought to tears as he battled injury and eventually went down fighting against World No.8 Casper Ruud.

The former World No.5 gave it everything he had but lost 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (7-4), 2-6, 6-7 (7-0) in the first round.

Tsonga delighted the home crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier when he took the opening set, but Ruud hit back to claim the next two sets.

The Frenchman broke for a 6-5 lead in the fourth set but was unable to serve it out, immediately calling for the trainer before the tie-break and taking a medical timeout for treatment to his right shoulder.

He was reduced to tears in the fourth set breaker as he was blitzed 7-0 - with his shoulder clearly hampering him.

"It was pure madness today. One of the best atmospheres I have seen in my career, and it's my last match," Tsonga said afterwards.

"I couldn't have asked for something better. I couldn't have asked for a better script, apart from the fact that I could have won.

"When I was about to serve and I realised I couldn't put my arm up, then I called for the physio. But I thought, 'I'm going to stay on the court and finish off this match.'

"I wanted to finish this way, on the court, to do my best, injured or not.

"In any case, there would have been no second match, because I left everything on the court today."

A video montage of Tsonga's career highlights then played inside the stadium as friends, family and fellow players gathered on court for his retirement ceremony.

Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer - all players Tsonga has beaten at grand slams — sent their well-wishes in a series of video messages.

"I really enjoyed it. They are all very happy, because I finally managed to cry," Tsonga said.

"Well, it's a moment that is going to be in my memory, but it's so quick when you're in it.

"It's difficult to live the moment that you're living. My eyes were all over the place. I didn't really know where to go.

"When I watch the images again afterwards I will be very moved."

Tennis world left gutted for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Tsonga famously made it to the Australian Open final in 2008 where he lost to Djokovic, as the Serb claimed the first of his 20 grand slam titles.

He made it to the semi-finals twice at both the French Open and Wimbledon and finished runner-up to Federer at the ATP Finals in 2011.

Tsonga earned an Olympic silver medal in the men's doubles alongside Michael Llodra in 2012 in London and was part of France's Davis Cup-winning team in 2017.

He also won two Masters titles - in Paris in 2008 and Toronto in 2014.

However his struggles with a number of different injuries in recent years saw his ranking tumble to 297 and he eventually made the call to retire.

Fans were left heartbroken for Tsonga on Tuesday after his career ended in cruel fashion.

with AFP

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