Del Potro Feeling At Home In Delray Beach

Only one ATP World Tour tournament is played in Juan Martin del Potro’s home country of Argentina. But for the affable Argentine, every stop can feel like home. Much like Roger Federer, del Potro draws cheers from all over the world.

“It means a lot to have this support because many players can’t feel that sensation,” del Potro told ATP World Tour Uncovered. “When I go around the U.S. or Europe or Asia, it feels like a hometown tournament because people are coming to watch me play. They don’t care if I win or lose. They just want to see me play tennis and that’s important for me.”

The 28 year old must feel especially welcome at the Delray Beach Open in south Florida. He started his award-winning 2016 comeback season here by reaching the semi-finals, and he’ll begin his 2017 campaign at the ATP World Tour 250 this week. Del Potro was also a titlist in Delray Beach in 2011.

“It’s a really good tournament to be my first tournament of the season. I’m so happy to be playing here. I have great memories from winning the title in 2011, and it was a special memory for me reaching the semi-finals here last year, so I’m looking forward to a good tournament this year,” he said.

Del Potro skipped the ATP World Tour tournaments Down Under and the Australian Open last month to extend his off-season and improve his fitness. His 2016 lasted longer than usual because he helped Argentina win its first Davis Cup title on 27 November.

But the right-hander starts the 2017 season in a much different place than he did the 2016 campaign. Twelve months ago, del Potro was coming back from another wrist injury – his third in two years – and had played only two tournaments in the prior year.

This season, del Potro can look back on a season that saw him win his first title in 33 months (If Stockholm Open), notch wins against Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, and reach No. 38 in the Emirates ATP Rankings.

“I’m very happy with how last year went. I only played 12 tournaments and I finished in the Top 40. This year is a big challenge for me because if I can play 20 tournaments, I can move up more in the rankings and get closer to playing the top guys,” del Potro said.

Del Potro also remained healthy throughout the season, which has allowed him to be optimistic with his 2017 schedule.

“This pre-season is completely different from the last one. I know 80 to 90 per cent of my schedule for the whole year, which is important. I worked hard in my pre-season in Tandil and came to Miami to finish the training. I did everything I can do before a tournament. I’m starting to do yoga every morning before practise and some exercises for my wrist and my body, All of these things help you to get into form,” del Potro said.

He’s not looking too far ahead, though. On Tuesday, del Potro faces former Top 10 player Kevin Anderson of South Africa. Del Potro leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 5-0, but Anderson is also a Delray Beach titlist, having won the title in 2012.

“I don’t know where my game is yet. In the first tournament, the first match, the sensations are pretty different compared to the last match of the year. I have a tough first-round ahead,” del Potro said. “But I love to play here. The atmosphere on the court is great. Many fans come to support me, so that gives me a special energy to play.”

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