My Masters 1000: Juan Martin del Potro

Juan Martin del Potro has three times come within a match of winning his maiden ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title. The likeable Argentine reached the final at 2009 Coupe Rogers, 2013 BNP Paribas Open and 2013 Shanghai Rolex Masters.

He spoke to ATPWorldTour.com about his favourite Masters 1000 tournament, the time he met the Pope in Rome and which Masters 1000 event he’d like to win the most.

Which Masters 1000 host city is your favourite and why?
I like the Shanghai Rolex Masters. It’s pretty far but I think it’s a great tournament. The stadium is different and great. The food is amazing. We have great facilities, and I always like to play in Shanghai.

You reached the 2013 final there. Is that also why it’s your favourite?
It could be because I play good tennis always when I have the chance to play the tournament. I like the surface. I like to be discovering something new in the city. I have some Chinese friends, too, so I like the tournament.

Which Masters 1000 title would you most want to win and why?
I was close to winning Montreal a long time ago (2009). But I would love to win Miami because it’s more like playing in my home country, and many South American people live there. And I have a big number of fans cheering for me during the whole tournament. So I would love to win that tournament one day.

What do you consider to be your best Masters 1000 win?
I think against Nadal in Miami in 2009. I beat him in the quarter-finals, 7-6 in the third. And the crowd was completely full, and it was an exciting match.

What’s your favourite off-court memory at a Masters 1000?
When I met the Pope (Francis) of Argentina in Rome. That was great.

What do you consider the toughest aspect of Masters 1000 tournaments?
The draw. All of the players are so good, and from the first round until the end, all the matches are difficult to play. I never have a good draw in the Masters 1000s. It’s a really big challenge to play the Masters 1000s.