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Journalism of Courage
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will not compete at this month8217;s U.S. Open tennis grand slam after failing to recover in time from a knee injury.
The world number eight,who suffered the problem during Wimbledon in June when he was forced to retire from his second-round match against Latvia8217;s Ernests Gulbis,said he needed to be able to play at 100 percent before returning to the tour.
8220;The thinking is simple,the doctors told me it would take two months for my tendon to be partially healed and five months for it to be completely healed,8221; Tsonga,a quarter-finalist in New York in 2011,said on his website.
8220;Two months is the length of time from the injury until the U.S. Open. It would be stupid to go there knowing full well that I have no chance because I8217;m not prepared enough.8221;
The 28-year-old,a crowd pleaser with his acrobatics around the court,said he needed to look after himself and was well aware of what sort of injury he was dealing with.
8220;I know exactly what it is I have. I know exactly how long it will take me until I am back on top. It is an injury that I have had before,8221; he said.
The year8217;s final grand slam takes place in New York from Aug. 26-Sept. 9. Tsonga said he was eyeing a return to competition in Metz on Sept. 16.
8220;I still have one month,it will come round fast,but I am optimistic,8221; he said.
