After being sidelined for the best part of the past two years after a third wrist surgery, Juan Martin del Potro revealed he was close to quitting tennis.

But with the support of his family, friends and fans, the ‘Tower Of Tandil’ has taken the first tentative steps of his comeback on the ATP World Tour in the past few weeks and, after encouraging results so far, is excited for what the future may hold.

“I’m so happy to be on tour again after almost two years without tennis life,” del Potro told ATPWorldTour.com at the BNP Paribas Open, where he reached the second round (l. to Berdych). “It was frustrating for me at the beginning of my injuries. But I kept working hard, trying to fix the problem every time.

“Now the present is very nice for me, playing tennis in these kind of events. I’m so happy to share it with all the players in the locker room and the player lounge. Just being on tour for me is amazing.”

After winning the US Open in 2009, going on to finish runner-up later that year at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and reaching a career-high No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, the world was seemingly at del Potro’s feet, with his forehand sending shockwaves around the ATP World Tour.

But instead, the Argentine’s career since then has been blighted by repeated spells off Tour due to wrist injuries. Now, with a second chance in tennis, del Potro is taking nothing for granted.

“It was very frustrating for me,” said the Argentine. “It’s very tough when you don’t get the solution quicker. You see different doctors and no-one knows about the problem. But hopefully after my third surgery, the problem is almost fixed and I am here, playing tennis again. I’m looking forward to the future, because I have good things to believe in.

“I was close to quitting tennis. I got frustrated at home and I didn’t watch tennis on TV because it was sad for me. It was close. But now, I have many good things to take from the tour. I would like to play tennis and that’s it.”

Still in the early stages of his comeback, highlighted by a run to the semi-finals on his return in Delray Beach (l. to Querrey), del Potro says he is far from his best form, citing his backhand as being some way off in Indian Wells. But the right-hander can count on the support of his family and legion of fans as he continues to make his way back.

Next up for del Potro will be the clay-court swing and his first appearance on the dirt in three years, since reaching the third round in Rome in 2013 (l. to Paire).

“I still feel young. I’m only 27 years old,” said del Potro. “If I’m healthy, I would like to play for more years. I just need to be healthy, to be strong. If I get that, I will enjoy the tennis life for more years.

“Social media was the key to keep close with my fans around the world. I posted all the time how my improvement was with my wrist. Now I have a few more posts and they’re all good news. That’s what they want to see and that’s what I want to post. If I can post all the time about playing tennis, it will be great for me.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be better than I was before,” admitted del Potro. “But I want to play tennis, stay healthy and the future will take care of itself. I’m still confident in my game and still looking forward to playing with the top guys in the same condition, not like [Indian Wells], when I couldn’t hit my backhand at 100 per cent. Maybe in the future I will get that chance.”

Novak Djokovic is on an unprecedented roll. In winning Miami last week, the World No. 1 reached a record 11th consecutive ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final, compiling a scorching 56-2 record along the way.

Next victim – Monte Carlo. Djokovic dropped just one set to win the 2015 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, defeating eight-time champion Rafael Nadal, 6-3, 6-3, in the semi-finals.

An Infosys ATP Beyond the Numbers analysis of Djokovic’s successful 2015 campaign reveals 10 interesting insights into his game that we can look for again this year.

1. Aces/Double Faults

In 49 service games, Djokovic only hit nine aces, while committing just seven double faults. This is about the only area of his game he was not immediately leaning on his opponent.

2. Serving Scenarios

Djokovic served with new balls five times, and held every time. He won 88 per cent (7/8) of his service games when serving for the set, and won 85 per cent (17/20) holding serve after breaking his opponent’s serve.

3. Better Converting In The Ad Court

When returning, the super Serb played 77 per cent (40/52) of his break point opportunities in the advantage court, where he was almost twice as successful converting break points. He converted 48 per cent (19/40) of his break points in the ad court, and only 25 per cent (3/12) in the deuce court.

4. Holding Serve

Djokovic proved impossible to break when he stretched his lead to two points when serving. He held every time when he led 30/0 (19/19), and also 40/15 (20/20).

5. Score = 30/30

Djokovic put up fairly similar numbers at 30/30 when he was serving and receiving. He won 75 per cent (12/16) of his service games from 30/30, and broke 62 per cent (8/13) when returning at the same score.

6. Solid Second Serves

Overall, on break points, Djokovic made a first serve 68 per cent (13/19) of the time. He saved 70 per cent (9/13) of his break points behind a first serve, and a very high 67 per cent (4/6) after hitting a second serve.

7. Breaking = Better Versus Second Serves

Making a first serve dramatically helped opponents save break points against the world’s premier returner. Djokovic broke 40 per cent (11/28) of the time against a first serve, but a substantially higher 65 per cent (11/17) when he got a look at a second serve.

8. Average Set Time

The average set time in Monte Carlo last year for Djokovic was 43 minutes – just two minutes longer than his 2015 season average on all surfaces.

9. Average Winning Match Time

Even though playing on clay at sea level, the Serb basically raced through his matches in Monte Carlo, winning the five matches in an average of 95 minutes. His 2015 season average was a full 12 minutes longer, at 107 minutes.

10. Second Serve Domination Versus Nadal

Djokovic won a commanding 68 per cent (8/14) of his second-serve points against Nadal, and also won 53 per cent (12/23) of the Spaniard’s second-serve points as well. Djokovic broke Nadal four times, with all four coming behind Nadal’s first serve.

Read more insights at Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers