After Norwegian star Casper Ruud defeated Tsonga in the first round with 3-1 in sets, the Frenchman was seen going down on his knees and trying to hold back tears - while applause sounded across the arena.
After the match, a feature was shown in front of family and friends at the highlights of his career.
There, among others, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal sent their greetings.
- I hope the world can feel as much peace as I felt today.
Thank you Roland Garros, thank you tennis, I love you, Tsonga said after the match.
At best, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was ranked fifth in the world.
Among the highlights of his career is a second place in the Australian Open 2008. A match where Novak Djokovic won his first grand slam.