The Frenchman, whose career had been hampered by multipleinjuries in recent years, fought for almost four hours before bowing out intears.
The court Philippe Chatrier crowd gave him a standingovation as the 37-year-old knelt on the red dirt after being unable to put upmore of a fight because of shoulder pain.
It was the latest in a series of physical problems thatsaw the former world number five drop to 297 in the ATP rankings.
Tsonga, one of only three men to beat Rafael Nadal, NovakDokovic and Roger Federer when each was world number one and an Australian Openrunner-up in 2008, had not won a match on clay in almost three years and therewas no miracle on Tuesday - albeit a lot of hope after a solid opening set.
The match started in front of a sparse crowd as most ofthe corporate seats were empty around lunch time, a recurring pattern at RolandGarros where the food often trumps tennis.
Tsonga held firm, delighting fans with some well-executeddrop shots as he made the most of his opponent"s early nerves.
The volume finally increased as the stands filled upafter coffee time and Tsonga bagged the opening set following a tense tiebreak.
He saved break points in the fifth game of the second setbut yielded under pressure in the tiebreak and it appeared he would bow outquickly after being overwhelmed in the third.
Backed by a buoyant crowd, however, Tsonga broke to lovefor 6-5 in the fourth, only for Ruud to level and force another tiebreak.
SHOULDER PROBLEM
Tsonga had the physiotherapist on for a shoulder problemand he could barely serve in the tiebreak.
Once his ordeal ended, Tsonga, who won the 2017 Davis Cupwith France, was greeted on court by all of his former coaches and his parentswearing a "Merci Jo" t-shirt, as well as his children.
His former Davis Cup team mates Richard Gasquet, GillesSimon and Gael Monfils also came onto the court to embrace him.
"It"s great day for me. The day when I say goodbyeto my long-time companion. I"ve never looked back but now is the time to doit," Tsonga told the crowd.
"I want to thank all the people who helped meachieve my dream of becoming a professional tennis player.
"Thanks to the French tennis federation and all mycoaches who supported me even when I was extremely silly. I managed to be goodamid the best generation of players and I"m happy about it.
"You have been an inspiration to me and manyothers," said 23-year-old Ruud, who was nine when Tsonga beat his idolNadal on his way to the final in Melbourne.
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French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 24, 2022France"s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reacts after playing his final match beforeretiring, after losing his first round match against Norway"s Casper RuudREUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
