CHARISMATIC SA Open tennis champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will not defend his title in the R25-million ATP tournament at the Montecasino Entertainment Resort in Johannesburg in February.

The disappointing non-appearance of the world’s 10th-ranked Frenchman was confirmed this week by SA Tennis Association chief executive and tournament director Ian Smith.

“Tsonga expressed a desire to return to South Africa after winning the tournament at Montecasino earlier in the year and was glowing in his praise of the manner in which the event was run,” said Smith.

“But he has now told us his itinerary following January’s Australian Open, which includes a tough Davis Cup tie, precludes him from defending his title.”

To off-set this, the SA Open has secured the services of an equally talented and magnetic French player in the world’s 13th-ranked Gael Monfils, as well as the 17th-ranked Spaniard, David Ferrer, who was the hero of Spain’s Davis Cup final victory over the Czech Republic earlier this month.

“These two are top drawcards in their own right,” said Smith. – Sapa