Tears flow as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retires after defeat

PARIS: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gave Norway's eighth-seeded Casper Ruud a run for his money in a tight French Open first round battle but predictably headed into a tear-jerking retirement with a 6-7(6) 7-6(4) 6-2 7-6(0) defeat on Tuesday.

The Frenchman, whose career had been hampered by multiple injuries in recent years, fought for almost four hours before bowing out in tears.

The court Philippe Chatrier crowd gave him a standing ovation as the 37-year-old knelt on the red dirt after being unable to put up more of a fight because of shoulder pain.

It was the latest in a series of physical problems that saw the former world number five drop to 297 in the ATP rankings.

"It's great day for me. The day when I say goodbye to my long-time companion. I've never looked back but now is the time to do it," Tsonga told the crowd. Agencies

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