Del Potro on cloud nine
REBORN: FIT-AGAIN ARGENTINE DOWNS FEDERER IN FINAL Anderson moves up to No 8 in world rankings.
Juan Martin Del Potro, once one of tennis’ hottest young talents before his career was derailed by injuries, won the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday two years after almost quitting in frustration.
“I couldn’t imagine this moment. I mean, everybody knows I was really close to quitting tennis before my third surgery on my left wrist,” said Del Potro after upsetting world No 1 Roger Federer 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/2) in Sunday’s championship match.
“I made a big effort to come back. I have everything that I want, and I want to keep improving my game to see what I can do.
“I had very bad moments a few years ago and I don’t want to think about that anymore. I am just enjoying my life and playing around the world.”
World No 6 Del Potro is back in the top 10 rankings this season for the first time since 2014. He dropped to No 1 045 before beginning his comeback from the left wrist surgeries in 2016.
The 29-year-old from Argentina says he is not thinking about his ranking and just wants to keep up the pace as long as he can.
“Well, it’s so big. I cannot believe I won this tournament, beating Roger in a great final and also the level of the tennis,” he said of his first win in an Indian Wells final and second title in a row.
“I don’t care about the numbers. I just want to keep winning titles like this if I can.
“But the first thing is to try and be healthy during the whole year and play where I like to play.”
Del Potro now heads to south Florida to compete in the Miami Masters.
Meanwhile Kevin Anderson, who was knocked out by Borna Coric in the quaterfinals, has moved up one spot in the latest world rankings to No 8.