Four wrist operations, dark days and thoughts of resignation: after a difficult time, Juan Martin del Potro has finally played his way back into the limelight. In the Indian Wells final on Sunday evening, the Argentinian will face the great Roger Federer and could win his first title at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
In the days of Indian Wells, it seems as if Juan Martin del Potro can hardly believe his own happiness:”It’s just great that my body is almost 100 percent free of pain,” said the 29-year-old:”Thank God I can play tennis again. It’s like a second career for me after I almost quit a few years ago. It sounded a little humbler than usual when “Delpo” speaks with a soft and rough voice.
The six-foot-tall isn’t someone who makes big announcements. Not even in the hours of success. And certainly not before the final against Grand Slam record champion Federer on Sunday evening from 21.00 CET. Only this much: “He’s the favourite, but I’ve played good matches against him in the past,” said del Potro in front of the “blockbuster” in the California desert, as the expectant Americans put it.
One of these duels with the maestro has shaped the entire career of the sensitive giant like no other. In the final of the US Open 2009 he defeated Federer in five sets in a 4:06-hour thriller. His first and so far only major title changed everything. Del Potro couldn’t cope with the hype after he became a folk hero in his sports-crazy home country.
The already introverted right-hander retreated more and more, suffering from depression. In addition, there were wrist operations – four between 2010 and 2015. A vicious circle that rocked the “Tower of Tandil”: “I had sad, dark days,” del Potro once said.
The former world ranking fourth slipped and returned to the tour after his time-out as number 1045 (February 2016). Last but not least, the fans’ love for the Sympathetic, which led Argentina to the Davis Cup victory in 2016, was like a balm for open wounds. When Delpo lost the 2016 Olympic final in Rio to Andy Murray of Britain, the Bruce Springsteen fan was celebrated as the winner of hearts. Not only because of his hammer forehand, which earned him the nickname “Thor”.
Federer also knows about the playful and human qualities of the South American:”He is simply a fine fellow. It’s great to see him play like this again,” enthused the industry leader about the world’s number eight. Del Potro’s popularity is not surprising. When his opponent Nicolas Almagro had to give up injured at the French Open 2017, he sat next to him on the bench, put his arm around the Spaniard and comforted him. For minutes. That’s how he is, the”Delpo”.
In Indian Wells another circle closed for the new Acapulco winner. Del Potro’s clear 6-2, 6-3 semi-final win over former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic (Canada/No. 32) was his 400th win in total. Individual victory on the ATP profit tour. This makes him only the second Argentinian after Guillermo Vilas to break this sound barrier. A new coup against Federer on Sunday in Indian Wells would also push this magic number into the background. The paradisiacal Tennis Garden would definitely be the perfect place for Juan Martin del Potro to write the biggest chapter of his second career so far.