Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who celebrated his 27th birthday in Monte Carlo on Tuesday, says that such occasions are significant to athletes.
"Yes, because you see time is going by," he told reporters. "I know now I'm 27 and I'm in the second part of my career. I'm not that young anymore. I played my first professional match at 19 years old. I've been on the tour for eight years. I know I'm not going to be on the tour for the next eight years. I have no plans because I don't know what the future holds for me. I'm just living one day after the other."
Tsonga aded that it’s possible he could play well into his 30s. "Many players play their best tennis late in their career, mainly French players,” he said. Apparently French players get better after 27 years old. It encourages me, of course."