Former French Davis Cup captain and current Paris Masters tournament director Guy Forget tells L’Equipe that he does not believe Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s knee troubles will hinder his career, and that likes the progress Richard Gasquet has made this season.
Tsonga lost to Kei Nishikori on Tuesday despite holding two match points to upset Tsonga in Paris and can no longer qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals. Gasquet is competing for one of the final two spots in London with Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka, as well as long shots Milos Raonic and Tommy Haas.
“It is more problematic when you are 28 years old than to 20, but Jo has a very efficient medical staff that he knows well,” Forget said. “I don’t see irreversible damage that would let me think his best days are behind him. I know he’s extremely motivated.
“Richard, I have rarely seen him play this well and not just on court. In the past I always felt he was not very comfortable compared to what was expected of him, but now I feel much he’s calmer. He has not finished surprising us, because he has built a very strong physical base now. I feel he has taken a new turn.”