1. Sporting Family: Tsonga’s father, Didier, moved to France from Congo in the 1970s to play handball. His younger brother, Enzo, is part of the French basketball program. His cousin Charles N’Zogbia plays football for Aston Villa F.C. and his other cousin Mael Lepicier plays football for Congo.

2. Early Success: As a junior, Tsonga won the U.S. Open title (he played Marcos Baghdatis in the final) and reached three other semifinals of junior Grand Slams. 

3. Idolizing "His Airness": Tsonga has said his idols growing up were NBA star Michael Jordan as well as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Pat Rafter. 

4. Stings Like A Bee: Tsonga’s nickname is “Ali” and is often referred to as the Muhammad Ali of tennis because of his resemblance to the legendary boxer. But would Tsonga do as well in a ring as he would on a court? "I don’t know," he responds, "because I didn’t do it when I was young. It is different. When you are boxing you take a lot of shots on your head. So it’s not as nice as tennis maybe."

5. French Fraternity: Tsonga has said there’s a lot of support between the French players. “Of course we play together in Davis Cup. And anyway we have a good relationship,” he said. “Sometime we train together, we play together. I live not far from Gael Monfils, and sometimes, yeah, we will practice a lot together.”

6. La Vie en Japon: Tsonga told Roland Garros’ web site that his favorite restaurant is Minori in Paris and he would take Kei Nishikori there, if he had to bring a friend. "I'll show him that French sushi is better than Japanese sushi," he said.

7. No Breaks: When asked at the Australian Open if he had ever broken a newly strung, still-in-its-wrapping racquet,Tsonga replied “Never. Never. But, anyway, my father told me all the time, If you broke the racquet, I broke you. So I go easy with the racquet. Sometimes I prefer hit myself than my racquet.”

8. He Was Robbed: While top dog Roger Federer was running away with the final at the ATP World Tour Championships in London last November, Tsonga’s house in Gingins, Switzerland, was burglarized. 

9. Actor Tsonga: If he had to act in a film with someone, Tsonga told Roland Garros’ web site he would choose David Ferrer. “He'd play Forrest in Forrest Gump, and I'd play Bubba, his shrimp-fishing friend,” he said.

10. He Helps Out: Tsonga’s charity, Attrap La Balle (“Catch the Ball”) was founded by him and some friends in 2009 to provide underprivileged children in Congo with access to sports activities. It has since renovated existing facilities, built new sports centers and works to improve hygiene and nutrition in schools. Last year, Tsonga was presented with a $10,000 ATP Aces for Charity grant for his foundation. “Through Attrap La Balle, I really take to heart helping children in need in Congo, which is like my second country. I know this money will be wisely spent in helping kids to develop not only their sporting skills but also general life skills,” he said.