Tsonga wants to stop career where he started: "Roland Garros, I could almost tattoo it on my body"
The 37-year-old, who reached as high as No. 5 and got to the final of the 2008 Australian Open, spoke to press at ATP Lyon ahead of his retirement in Paris.
WATCH: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga's hot shots in Montpellier
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is wrapping up his career at home, playing Lyon and the French Open before hanging up his racquet.
Speaking during the draw for the ATP 250 Open Park Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Lyon event, the Frenchman told press he wanted to stop where he started.
"Roland Garros, I could almost tattoo it on my body," he said. "At 11-12 years, there I did my first practice lessons. I played the French competitions there until I was 14-16 years, before I trained there. I knew every corner of the old stadium.
"It's obviously symbolic to finish at the French Open."
Though he has played few events this season, Tsonga added that he also wants to approach his final event like he did when he was at his height.
"I'll try to do it like [in] my twenties, with the desire to fight," he said.
Next week's event in Lyon also has significance for Tsonga, who is involved in organizing the event.
"In France, I always feel at home," he said. "For tennis, I had to leave my family and my region very young, so I feel at home when I'm on French territory."
The 37-year-old reached as high as No. 5 and got to the final of the 2008 Australian Open, not to mention collected some big scalps with his pleasing and powerful attacking game despite experiencing frequent injury problems.
"I am very happy with what I've experienced through tennis and with what I've done," he said. "I'd prefer to have done even better, but I'm largely satisfied.''
Tsonga, who is currently ranked No. 263, will compete as a wildcard at both competitions. In Lyon, he will take on Slovakia's Alex Molcan in the first round.