World number six Juan Martín del Potro makes a clear announcement before his start to the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid towards title favourite Rafael Nadal.
The first game on the Red Ashes in Madrid was not so successful for Juan Martín del Potro. At Dominic Thiem’s side, who was sure that it would be “definitely fun” before the game, the Argentinian lost 3-6 and 6-7 (8) against Pablo Cuevas and Marcel Granollers.
In the individual competition, however, things will be different for the “Tower of Tandil”. The “fun double” with Thiem served as preparation and preparation for the tournament in Madrid, which according to the Argentinian was not to go to Rafael Nadal without a fight.
“We look forward to surprising Rafael Nadal,” del Potro said in Madrid, sending very clear signals to the Spaniard.
Anything but without a fight, del Potro wants to start into the tournament and has a lot on his mind. But to knock the “sand court king” off the throne, his opponents must be in top form, as he himself, as the 29-year-old explained: “You have to be at 100 percent of your physique. “The ball must be hit harder, and matches over two or three hours are normal.”
Before the tournament in Madrid, “DelPo” took a break and trained in his home country Argentina to be well prepared for the clay court season. “Of course, everyone expects Nadal to win Rome and Paris. I have to admit, I do, but here in Madrid a lot is possible. For me too,” del Potro added.
The world’s number six travels to the Spanish capital with good memories and has ambitious plans: “I have celebrated good results here in the past and I expect the same this year. But one thing is clear: Nadal is the man to beat,” said the Argentinian serve giant.
To beat the “King of Clay”, as del Potro describes his colleague Nadal, he “prepared well for the tournament” and enjoyed his time-out in his home country, said the Indian Wells winner.
To say goodbye to the tour for a few weeks was not difficult for del Potro: “I have no problem with just spending a week at home. I’m enjoying this very much. I had a great time in Buenos Aires and in my home town of Tandil.”
The opening opponent for del Potro in Madrid will be Bosnian Damir Dzumhur. A welcome opponent to find into the tournament, even if clay court tennis is not particularly healthy for del Potro: “Tennis on sand is not good for my body, but I feel good. I look forward to the tournament in Madrid and then to Paris. After that, I’m on grass, it’s better for me.”
The men’s single tableau in Madrid