Davis Cup hero Del Potro confirmed for Auckland Classic
Fresh from helping Argentina win the Davis Cup, Juan Martin del Potro will return to New Zealand in January to play at the ASB Classic.
The 2009 US Open winner, also won the Auckland tournament that year and launched himself among the very best in the sport that year.
In Melbourne seven years ago he beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and Roger Federer in the final, becoming the first player to beat these two in a Grand Slam. This followed his week in Auckland where he beat Sam Querrey in the final.
Tournament organisers have tried to get him back in the years since then, without any luck but the timing is right for a return in 2017.
He played just six tournaments in 2014 and 2015 because of wrist injuries and in February this year was down to 1045 in the world rankings. However, he has fought his way back, making it to the final at the Rio Olympics and is now ranked 38.
Since June, he has also beaten two current world No 1s in Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, as well as Stan Wawrinka and Nadal.
‘‘His year has been incredible, especially to beat two current world number ones,’’ Classic tournament director Karl Budge said.
‘‘He is back winning ATP tour titles and just steered Argentina to their first Davis Cup crown. It’s a hell of a comeback. He is the player that none of the big four want to draw in Melbourne.’’
Rightly, del Potro was given the award for the comeback player of the year by the ATP and his return to the top is one of those great inspirational sporting stories.
He admits he contemplated retiring during his almost two years out of the game, but showed that through hard work and determination he could get back to where he was.
Ranked 38 in the world, del Potro won’t be seeded for the Classic, so unlike the top four seeds won’t be given a first round bye.
‘‘Juan Martin is the man of the moment and the bookies favourite for the title in Auckland,’’ Budge said.
‘‘The fact he is unseeded and can land anywhere on the draw will be the talking point to see who he plays on Monday or Tuesday.’’
The rest of the field for the men’s Classic will be announced at 10am today.