The Frenchman played at a few Challenger tournaments in France including 1 in Bordeaux or Cassis where he triumphed without losing a set. In a recent interview, Tsonga said what this period brought to him.

"Playing in Challenger tournaments helped me find the reasons why I was playing tennis again. The conditions are always more difficult. There's always a battle. You meet with players who are dreaming of being great champions. And even the crowd that is attending is a different crowd."

"It's always pleasant to play such tournaments, because then we realize that what we do is exceptional," Tsonga added. "We get closer to the public when we play Challengers and we listen to what people say and it makes you feel good. It helps you have a different view of your career, of tennis at large and to find pleasure again in playing tennis."

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