DelPo's Happy Return To SW19

Juan Martin del Potro had to wonder if he’d ever return to Wimbledon. Before Tuesday, the last time his whipping forehand had been seen at the All England Club was 2013, when the Argentine faced Novak Djokovic for a spot in the men’s final.

The two battled for four hours and 43 minutes – the longest semi-final in Wimbledon history – before Djokovic prevailed 6-3 in the fifth. “It was one of the best matches I’ve been a part of,” the Serb said after.

Djokovic has won two Wimbledon titles since then, but del Potro has spent much of the past three years recovering from wrist surgeries. On Tuesday, though, the likable Tower of Tandil was back at Wimbledon and looking like his old self, winning 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 against Frenchman Stephane Robert.

“Great [feelings] after three years,” del Potro said of his return.

The win was the latest encouraging sign of del Potro’s comeback. After the 2013 Wimbledon, the 6’6” right-hander rounded out the year with his third appearance at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. But in 2014, he played only four tournaments before undergoing surgery on his left wrist in March. The former World No. 4 tried to return in 2015 but ended up playing in as many tournaments, two, as he’d have surgeries on his left wrist.

“I was close to quitting tennis at the end of last year,” del Potro said on Tuesday.

He didn’t, however, and the tennis world has been the beneficiary. Del Potro returned at Delray Beach in February and has strung together healthy weeks and quality wins. He beat then-World No. 14 Dominic Thiem in Madrid and reached the semi-finals earlier this month on the grass in Stuttgart.

“I’m enjoying tennis again. I’m starting to talk about tennis and no more about my wrist. That’s important,” he said.

In month four of his comeback, the 18-time titlist admits his game could be better. He could have more confidence in his backhand, but that’s OK for now. “This year my biggest challenge could be to finish healthy and be ready to make a good preparation for the next year,” he said.

Del Potro also has a new coach helping him. For the past few weeks, he’s been working with Daniel Vallverdu, who has worked with Tomas Berdych and Andy Murray in the past. “We have a great relationship. We know each other since juniors,” del Potro said.

On Thursday, the 2013 Wimbledon semi-finalist will an opportunity for a big win at SW19. Del Potro faces fifth seed Stan Wawrinka for the sixth time. The Argentine leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 3-2.

“I am enjoying tennis a lot. Of course, when you win your first round, everything is much better,” del Potro said. “I’m looking forward to playing a great match against Wawrinka.”