World No.36 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is hoping to return to the tour in the near future as he recovers from surgery.
Earlier this year the French player underwent a ‘minor’ procedure on his knee. According to website France24, the operation was done to repair a torn meniscus. A cartilage between the surface of the joint. Tsonga hasn’t played a competitive match since retiring from his semi-final clash against Lucas Pouille at the Montpellier Open in February.
“The operation went very well, I went back to training ten days ago. I’m obviously not 100%, I am not still moving around as I would like, but I’m back on the court.” He told France24 on May 2nd.
Despite the positive signs, it is touch and go if he be ready in time for his home grand slam. The French Open will get underway on the 28th May. Tsonga has played in the event on ten occasions and has only missed the tournament twice since making his debut in 2005. His last absence was back in 2008, which was also coincidentally due to a knee injury.
“A recovery as soon as possible would be welcome, the sooner I’ll be back, the sooner the results will come back as well.” He said.
“There is no objective (in terms of date). The only objective is that my knee be operational again and to the maximum of its capacities. What guides us are the healing times and my capacity to find my fitness.”
Reluctant to set a date concerning when he will return to the tour, the 33-year-old is relying on the hope that it won’t be too far away. Due to his recent absence, he has dropped out of the world’s top 30 for the first time since January 2008.
“I’m getting physically ready again, I hope the healing times are not going to be too long and I’m going to be able to increase as I go (though|) workloads and get back as quickly as possible.” He concluded.
Tsonga has been ranked as high as fifth in the world. So far in his career, he has won 16 ATP titles and reached one grand slam final at the 2008 Australian Open.
