Can Juan Martin Del Potro achieve his dream of becoming world number one? - Tennis Special
In a recent interview, Juan Martin Del Potro shared his dream of becoming the top player in South African Airways ATP Rankings. The pro knows that it is a difficult task which everyone cannot achieve but he is motivated and works
hard to fulfil his dream.
The Argentinean said, "It motivates me and gives me strength to wake up each morning knowing that the possibility exists. Not a day goes by that I don't dream of becoming No.1."
Mind you, Del Potro is not like “everyone” and is one of the contenders to get to the number one position in the future. He is among the most talented players on the ATP World Tour right now. The Argentinean has a complete game,
possessing every shot in his arsenal.
The 6ft 6in tall has a blistering serve and hits flat ground strokes at a speed which only a few can match on the Tour.
Del Potro turned pro at the age of 17 years in 2005 but it was after the 2009 US Open that people started to consider him as the next super star of tennis.
The Argentinean shattered Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s hold on the Grand Slams after beating them in the semi-final and final respectively to claim the title at the Flushing Meadows in 2009. He became the first player to beat
both Federer and Nadal at the same Major.
Featuring in his first Grand Slam final, Del Potro came back from two sets to one down to topple the then world number one, Federer, and entered the spotlight.
Recalling that moment later, Del Potro said, “I was there in my first Grand Slam final, against the best player in the history of our sport. I had nothing to lose. I tried to enjoy it and the crowd really helped me to keep fighting
during the last two sets.”
After beating the two giants, who are considered two of the greatest players of all time, Del Potro was being cited as the one player who could finish Federer and Nadal’s monopoly on the top of the rankings. However, just when
Del Potro was going in the right direction, reaching the fourth spot in the rankings in January 2010, he was struck with a career-threatening wrist injury.
The persistent injury forced him to stay away from the tour for nine months, failing in defending his US Open title and falling drastically in the rankings.
The Argentinean made a comeback at the end of 2010 but lost in the opening round at both the tournaments he participated in. He dropped to 485th place in the rankings at the start of 2011. However, that proved to be
a comeback year for him and he finished the season at the 11th spot.
Del Potro entered the Top-10 once again last month. Although he dropped to the 11th place in the preceding week but the Argentinean is moving on the right track. He is expected to enter the best five very soon and can
challenge the positions of top four.
The Argentinean has regained the highest level and is performing quite well in all the tournaments, losing only to the top four. A couple victories against either of them will restore Del Potro’s confidence and he will permanently
come at par with them.
Once he starts beating the top four, it would mean that he is in a position to win Grand Slams and that will give him a chance to attain the top spot in the rankings.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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