Del Potro: "My Game Can Keep Improving"

Juan Martin del Potro believes his game is far from his top level, which is a bad sign for his opponents given his run at this week’s Delray Beach Open.

The 2011 champion held a set point to force his semi-final with top seed Milos Raonic to a deciding set before falling 6-3, 7-6(6) on Saturday. But del Potro said that despite the close scoreline, the essential shots in his game still aren’t at their best and will require more work on the practise court.

“I think my game can keep improving a lot. I played with less 50 per cent of my backhand tonight and Milos kept attacking that,” said del Potro. “If you’re not 100 per cent against the top guys, it’s difficult to win. I have to keep working hard to improve that.”

The Argentine was full of praise for Raonic and said the Canadian played better than him in the key moments of the match.

“I think the whole match was up and down and he took the opportunities to win,” said Raonic. “He was adapting so fast to my game and I couldn’t manage my backhands. I tried my best, but he was too good today.”

Despite the loss, del Potro said he was satisfied with playing four tough matches in his opening tournament of the season. Even more importantly, his body has withstood the rigours of competitive matches better than last year in Delray Beach, which was also his first tournament of the season. Del Potro plans to compete as scheduled next week at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.

“This was a good tournament for my first one of the season. I finished this tournament in good shape. When I played here last year, I pulled out of Acapulco,” said del Potro. “I know that if I’m healthy and able to play, my game will be improving every week.”

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