Del Potro’s tribute to fans for helping him to the final
Juan Martin del Potro’s return to the US Open final is a celebration of friendship that saw the 2009 champion through his darkest days of injury and doubt.
A dozen friends from del Potro’s hometown of Tandil have gained fame in Flushing Meadows, their serenade of “Ole, ole, ole – Del-Po, Del-Po” an infectious accompaniment to his every match.
Despite Del Potro’s affectionate post-match teasing, they are more than a bunch of boyhood friends. They are the people who helped him through when it seemed recurring wrist injuries would end his career.
The nadir came in 2015, when multiple surgeries had failed to produce a solution.
“They are very important for me to be in this stage at the moment because they were behind me in that year, trying to keep my mind positive to never give up during my wrist problems,” said Del Potro after reaching the final when defending champion Rafael Nadal retired injured after dropping the first two sets.
“I didn’t know if I will be a tennis player again or not. But I’m here. I’m excited to keep surprising the tennis world, as I did with myself.”
Del Potro looked headed for stardom when he beat Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the semi-final and the final to win the 2009 US Open.
Instead years in the wilderness followed. But Del Potro, resurgent this season with his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells and a title in Acapulco, is on the threshold of a second grand slam triumph.
“I cannot believe that I will have a chance to play another grand slam final here, which is my favourite tournament,” Del Potro said.
His resurgence has not been just a matter of getting healthy. His wrist injuries required him to make changes to his game, adding a slice backhand option to his armoury.
“I mix it up a lot, my backhands with the slices, drop shots because of my wrist problems. But it’s working good,” he said.
He knows he will need every weapon at his disposal in today’s final against Novak Djkovic, who claimed his 13th grand slam title at Wimbledon.
Djokovic has won 14 of their 18 career meetings, including in the quarter-finals of the 2012 US Open.
American John Isner, beaten by Del Potro in the quarter-finals, said the Argentine is playing “some of the best tennis ever right now for him”.
And Del Potro, who turns 30 on September 23, is relishing every minute of it as the memory of his “worst moment” recedes. “Now I’m having a good present, looking forward for the future. I didn’t expect to get these kind of emotions playing tennis again. Reaching finals, winning titles, having my highest ranking ever – everything is almost perfect.”
Of facing Djokovic, he said: “It will be a difficult match because we are close friends. Novak has won Wimbledon already. He’s playing so good. He will be the favourite to win on Sunday. But I don’t know.
“When I played Roger nine years ago, he was the favourite to win as well. I will try to make the surprise again.”
Djokovic said of the rivalry: “I personally like him very much, not just as a player but as a person. He’s a dear friend, someone that I respect a lot.
“We all felt for his struggles with injuries. But he was always a top-five player in the eyes, I think, of everyone.
“It was just a matter of time. He’s a big-time player.
“He’s a big-match player. He’s a grand slam winner. He’s playing the tennis of his life.”