Del Potro Back From Brink Of Quitting

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.”