Juan Martin del Potro's return continues to inspire
NEW YORK — The groans in the room at the draw ceremony for the Rio Olympics a month ago were loud: There was Novak Djokovic, the top seed and world No. 1 on the draw sheet. His first-round opponent? Juan Martin del Potro.
Since before he won the U.S. Open unexpectedly in 2009, del Potro has been one of the sport’s most dangerous foes. He is 6-foot-6, lanky and with a lightning bolt forehand. But soon after his maiden Grand Slam he would injure his left wrist, and need not only two trips away from the sport, but three surgeries to get fully healed.
It was in Rio a few days after the draw that he and Djokovic, tennis’ current world-beater, would hug at the net. Del Potro left the court in tears of joy, Djokovic in tears of devastation. The Argentine, now 27, would end up winning an emotional silver medal at the Olympics later that week.
“I had a great showing in Rio: Beating Novak, Rafael (Nadal) and doing a great final against Andy (Murray). The silver medal for me, for my country, was amazing,” del Potro told a small group of reporters at the U.S. Open on Wednesday. “To get that medal means something special. It is tough to focus again on tennis. This is a big event for me, but I’m trying to keep calm and keep focused and looking forward to going far here.”
Thursday night del Potro, a wild-card entrant at the Open because of a low ranking of No. 142 in the world, beat highest-seeded American Steve Johnson in three sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It showed not only that his is wrist continuing to hold up against the rigors of the tour, but that he can also follow Rio success with U.S. Open triumph.
Saturday he plays Spaniard David Ferrer, the No. 11 seed, for a shot in the second week of the U.S. Open.
“He did a good tournament in the Olympics. I’m happy for him,” said Nadal, who — like Djokovic — lost a heartbreaker to del Potro in Rio. “The situation that he had for the last couple of years, del Potro is an important player for the tour. It’s good news for tennis that he is back.”
That seems to be the sentiment of all of tennis on the guy they call Delpo: One of its biggest giants is also one of its most loved characters — and stories — too.
“What he’s been through is a real human story,” said ESPN commentator Darren Cahill. “I just want him to be healthy, have his fair shot, and if he can get four or five years where he can stay injury-free, I have no doubt that he’ll force his way back into the top five. Whether he wins more majors or not, that remains to be seen. That is an X-factor. But he’ll give himself plenty of shots.”
Del Potro missed most of 2010 with the first iteration of his wrist injury, then most of 2014 and all of 2015 when it came back to haunt him. His return in 2016 has seen him adopt a one-handed slice backhand that weirdly has diversified his arsenal in a roundabout sort of way as he tried to protect his wrist. He does up to two or three hours of treatment for it each day.
Yes: Two to three hours each day.
“Sometimes I get tired just of the treatment because it’s not easy and we don’t have that much time to lose at a Grand Slam,” del Potro said, shrugging with his famously sullen face.
“To be honest I was close to quitting tennis last year before my third surgery,” he said. “Nobody knew what was happening in my wrist. I changed many times the treatment and nothing works. But in the end I survived with my mind. I never give up. My family and friends tell me a lot to keep trying. I fix for the moment. Of course I can be better in the future and I’m looking forward to that. At the moment I think I’m doing well. I’m not putting my wrist at risk again.”
His return has been inspiring in the sport. In Rio he was cheered even by Brazilian fans. Thursday night he got equal support — if not more — than the American Johnson. In the absence of the beloved Roger Federer at this U.S. Open, del Potro has stepped in as the sport’s most loved figure.
And he just loves being back, playing tennis.
“I feel so happy to receive that love from the fans and from the tennis world,” he said, cracking a quiet smile. “They don’t care if I win or I lose and I really appreciate that. It took all my effort to come back and to play tennis again and I think I’m doing well. My forehand is still going fast, the crowd loves that. I really appreciate everyone who cheers for me all around the world at every tournament. It’s not easy to feel like a local player all over the world and that’s how I feel. It’s incredible.”