Nine years ago his charge to the Australian Open final not only sparked the imagination of hardcore tennis fans, but the wider public.
Free-wheeling and ultra-athletic Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga boasted all the big shots. But Tsonga, then 22, was denied his first grand slam victory by an even younger gun also going for his first. A chap by the name of Novak Djokovic.
Into the third round: France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga always attracts plenty of fans.Credit:AP
And we all know what has happened since for the Serbian who treats Melbourne like his second home. For Tsonga, however, that memorable night in the 2008 final in Melbourne remains the deepest point he has reached in any of the four majors.
Tsonga has hovered just off the pack of the leading men's players since that appearance in the final, six times ending the year in the world's top 10.
Now ranked 12th in the world, the Frenchman is in solid form and coming off quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. He's safely ensconced in the third round after two impressive wins, including a straight-sets demolition of Serbian Dusan Lajovic.
"Yeah, the match was good for me. I played well," Tsonga said.
"The conditions was not easy. A lot of wind for both of us. It was not the best tennis I played, but it was a good match. Really solid."
While American Jack Sock may await in the next round the Frenchman is keeping his thoughts close about advancing deep into the second week.
"You know, every day is different. I'm playing well for the moment, so I will prepare for the next match and see how it goes," Tsonga said.
"But of course I'm confident, because I played well the two first matches. I hope I will be able to play at this level or even better on the next round."
Now 31, life is about to get a whole different for Tsonga. His girlfriend Noura El Shwekh is due to give birth to their first child in April.
It brings a smile to his face. "Yeah, I will be a father. You know, I touch on wood [smiling]," he said.
There are numerous fathers on tour, including world No.1 Andy Murray, but Tsonga hasn't yet sought their advice.
"Not especially Andy, but I have some friends and some people around me who got kids.
"So, for me, yeah, it's gonna be a new experience and new adventure. It's great."