Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had a very successful junior career before turning professional. In 2003, he won the boys’ singles title at the US Open. He turned professional the following year at the age of 18. His true breakthrough in tennis came in 2007. In January, Tsonga was ranked 212th in the world, and he received a wildcard into the Australian Open where he faced off against Andy Roddick. Although he lost, Tsonga challenged Roddick in that match, taking the first set to a 20-18 tiebreaker finish. Tsonga went on to participate at Wimbledon and the US Open that year. At the end of 2007, Tsonga held the No. 43 ranking.

In the first round of the 2008 Australian Open, Tsonga defeated Andy Murray and then upset Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the semifinals. He ultimately lost to Novak Djokovic in a four-set final. Tsonga reached the semifinals of the 2013 and 2015 French Open, the 2010 Australian Open, and Wimbledon in 2011 and 2012. In the 2011 Wimbledon quarterfinals, Tsonga became the first man to come back and defeat Federer at a Grand Slam after being down two sets to love.

Tsonga continued to be a threat to the “Big Four” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray throughout his career. He defeated three of the four to win the 2014 Canadian Open, marking the first time since 2003 that none of the “Big Four” had won the tournament. This achievement made Tsonga the first player to defeat Djokovic, Federer, and Murray in the same tournament.

Tsonga reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 5 in 2012, the same year that he won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics with his doubles partner Michaël Llodra. In 2017, Tsonga was a member of the championship French Davis Cup Team. After a long and successful tennis career, Tsonga retired in 2022 after the French Open.