Juan Martin Del Potro, a former world number four and 2009 US Open champion, has spent the predominant part of the last two years recuperating from wrist injuries and surgeries away from the tennis court. He finally returned at the 2016 Delray Beach Open and has been playing intermittently since. However, his return to his best is not happening as fast as he would like.
Slow Progress
Del Potro says he’s very happy with his progress so far, but is irritated with not being able to play at his full level yet as recovery to his former best-self is slow-going. It’s notable that his game now includes far more backhand slices in place of his powerful two-handed backhand from before his surgery, as this reduces the stress on his wrist.
“If I compare myself now to the player of one year and a half or two years ago, that was in Tandil with the mind out of tennis, I am just very happy. There are no secrets, I have nothing to hide. You see my improvements but not as quickly as I would like it to,”
“For me just entering the tennis court in any tournament means a lot, considering everything I went through. I am making little steps forward. Obviously, I would like to improve quickly but it needs time.”
Recent results and happiness at being pain-free
Considering the extent of his wrist injuries and the numerous surgeries he has been through to get healthy again, the former Argentinian number one has had good results this season so far.
“Watching me playing even better, beating Thiem in Madrid, reaching semifinals in an event (Stuttgart), beating Wawrinka in a Grand Slam tournament, all of this means have pressure and expectations in good ways. But if I am not calm, everything could turn badly,”
“I am here because my level is acceptable and because I can play with no pain. With my comeback to tennis everything is good. I am so joyful.”