World No.10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga knows time is running out for him to taste grand slam glory, but the Frenchman hopes lady luck will be on his side in 2014.
Tsonga exploded onto the scene in 2008 when he made the Australian Open final as a 22-year-old.
Six years on, and Tsonga is yet to reach another grand slam final, with the second half of his 2013 campaign ruined by a knee injury.
Tsonga has looked good in wins over Radek Stepanek and John Isner at Perth’s Hopman Cup this week.
But he knows he’ll have to step up to a whole new level if he is to beat the likes of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer in the grand slams, starting at this month’s Australian Open.
“There are no secrets – you have to work a lot,” said Tsonga, a winner of 10 singles titles.
“You have to be really focused on your tennis and stay professional at all times.
“That’s what’s difficult. I enjoy life, but I don’t have many years to play again, so I try to stay focused on my tennis.
“Maybe this year I’ll improve it.
“I think I can (go to another level). I’ve stayed confident.
“I didn’t have a lot of luck with injury last year. I’m sure I’m a stronger player (now).”
France is a strong chance to make Saturday’s Hopman Cup final after recording wins over the US and Czech Republic.
At this time last year, Isner’s Australian Open campaign was ended before it even began after he succumbed to a knee injury at the Hopman Cup.
The world No.14 will need to manage the injury for the rest of his career, but says it’s feeling good enough for him to get through the Australian summer.
“It’s feeling all right,” Isner said.
“We’ve got a few things here and there.
“It always seems to happen with me when I take time off – I start to feel the worse. So I’ll get it sorted out.”