Tsonga: Over or underachiever?

[soyizgood]

This time I'm throwing it out there. I call him an underachiever. I've been rooting for this guy for over 5 years. I'm tempted to call him the Petrova of the ATP, but slightly less mentally challenged.

Is it a French thing to lose composure, hunger, drive when it counts? See Gasquet and Monfils for reference. Of those three, Tsonga has the most talent. However, from some accounts he does not like being coached. Where did this Tsonga go? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJSpOvozUhI or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVtNcx9Fp-s

IMO he's gotten complacent. I still have hope he'll snatch a major. I doubt he'll win the French or USO, but the AO and Wimbledon suit his game.

 

[90's Clay]

Underachiever as I feel his downfalls were more mental then they were physical. When he was on his game, look at what he did to Fed and Nadal on hard courts and grass

 

[Kilco]

Tsonga is in his rightful position now and has had a career fitting to a man of his talents. His agility/movement is not good enough compared to the big 4. Forehand is big but can be inconsistent at times. Serve is big. BH is inconsistent and can be abused by good players who can expose him. He is a very good player top 10 player. Nothing more. He has not over achieved or under achieved.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I think Tsonga is an underachiever surprised the guy hasn't reached a grand slam final in five years since the 2008 Australian Open when he burst on to the world stage.

Tsonga comes across as a minstrel I don't know why the guy is always smiling on the tennis court he doesn't take tennis seriously enough or his talent seriously enough. I don't think Andy Murray is much better than Tsonga in terms of his game but Murray is mentally tougher than Tsonga is. I think Tsonga's problems now are mental and not physical. Although Tsonga also had fitness problems for part of his career he was overweight and not in good shape. Tsonga has gotten into better physical shape which is good but his determination I have always questioned. I hear Tsonga has finally hired a coach which is good he definitely has the weapons and the game to beat the best players. Tsonga has proven he can knock off Nadal and Federer in grand slams I think for him it is just putting it all together. I think one of Tsonga's problems is his focus and concentration he seems to smile too much on court like minstrel he doesn't seem to want it enough or take tennis as seriously as he should.

 

[Federer20042006]

Achiever. Good player you'd expect to win about 1 GS in his career, but not versatile enough to do more.

Attacking game is fun to watch but not a great technical volleyer.

 

[soyizgood]

I think Tsonga is an underachiever surprised the guy hasn't reached a grand slam final in five years since the 2008 Australian Open when he burst on to the world stage.

Tsonga comes across as a minstrel I don't know why the guy is always smiling on the tennis court he doesn't take tennis seriously enough or his talent seriously enough. I don't think Andy Murray is much better than Tsonga in terms of his game but Murray is mentally tougher than Tsonga is. I think Tsonga's problems now are mental and not physical. Although Tsonga also had fitness problems for part of his career he was overweight and not in good shape. Tsonga has gotten into better physical shape which is good but his determination I have always questioned. I hear Tsonga has finally hired a coach which is good he definitely has the weapons and the game to beat the best players. Tsonga has proven he can knock off Nadal and Federer in grand slams I think for him it is just putting it all together. I think one of Tsonga's problems is his focus and concentration he seems to smile too much on court like minstrel he doesn't seem to want it enough or take tennis as seriously as he should.

I agree with your assessment. He lost valuable time during his phase of not wanting to get pushed further. He doesn't like routines like drills/practice/etc. I feel he stagnated while Djokovic/Murray/Del Potro kept improving. Talent is not an issue with Tsonga. It's his motivation and dedication that troubles me. I can watch Tsonga play all day as he's got the full array of shots. When he's got the passion and fire it's contagious. Of course, "when" is the key word.

 

[NadalAgassi]

Underachiever of course. He was never going to be a dominant player ala Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic, but he can beat anyone on a good day. He could have found a way to play a more disciplined game and be more consistent match to match, tournament to tournament, and year to year, than he has been. There is no reason he couldnt have consistently been ranked in the top 5 or 6, and won a slam or two by now. Instead a little workhorse like David Ferrer is consistently ranked higher than him.

 

[soyizgood]

Underachiever of course. He was never going to be a dominant player ala Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic, but he can beat anyone on a good day. He could have found a way to play a more disciplined game and be more consistent match to match, tournament to tournament, and year to year, than he has been. There is no reason he couldnt have consistently been ranked in the top 5 or 6, and won a slam or two by now. Instead a little workhorse like David Ferrer is consistently ranked higher than him.

Tsonga is the anti-Ferrer. Ferrer has more passion and hunger in his game than Tsonga. Ferrer has less variety/power/weaponry than Tsonga, but Ferrer has made the most of his abilities.

 

[ruerooo]

I think Tsonga is an underachiever surprised the guy hasn't reached a grand slam final in five years since the 2008 Australian Open when he burst on to the world stage.

I'm ... going to assume you remember he had meniscal surgery right after that.

:roll:

 

[Mighty Matteo]

I feel that Tsonga does as well as his current ability allows him too, but I consider him an underachiever because he has made big improvements in his game which would take him to the next level.