Juan Martin del Potro, the ‘Tower of Tandil’, out to topple Rafael Nadal after completing fightback from injury

Top shot | Juan Martin del Potro plays a forehand return between his legs to Croatia's Marin Cilic
Christophe Archambaul/AFP/Getty Images
Paul Newman8 June 2018

In global terms, the popularity of the “Big Four” in men’s tennis remains largely unchallenged, but outside the super league of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, nobody has a greater connection with the public than Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro.

Even when he takes on Nadal in the semi-finals of the French Open here this afternoon, Del Potro might have as much support as the 10-time champion of Roland Garros.

The story of the gentle giant’s fightback from four wrist operations has captured the imagination of tennis fans around the world, as was demonstrated after his quarter-final victory here yesterday over Marin Cilic.

Del Potro was so emotional after reaching his first semi-final here for nine years that he could barely talk during his post-match interview on court, but his words were all but drowned out anyway by the chants of “Delpo! Delpo!”

The 6ft 6in ‘Tower of Tandil’ seemed to have the world at his feet after he beat Nadal and Federer to win the 2009 US Open, but within weeks he was struggling with the wrist problems that have coloured his career ever since.

In Pictures | Rafa Nadal at Roland Garros

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After repeated operations on his wrists (one on his right and three on his left) and other physical issues which have kept him on the sidelines for long periods, 29-year-old Del Potro returned to the world’s top 10 at the start of this year. Next week, he will match his career-high position of No4 in the rankings or climb to No3 if he wins here.

“I was close to quitting this sport two years ago, but I never gave up,” Del Potro said, as he looked ahead to his meeting with Nadal.

“I have been trying every day to fix my problem in my wrist. In the end, I fixed it and now I’m having a great present, looking forward to the future.

“Of course, I didn’t expect to be in the top five again, or to reach the semi-finals at a big tournament after all my injuries, but now it’s time to talk about my present in a good way. I think all the tougher moments of my life are completely in the past.”

Although Del Potro’s (below) backhand is not what it was - he had to develop a single-handed slice because for years he was unable to hit his huge double-handed backhands - his serve and forehand are still two of the biggest weapons in the modern game.

Photo: EPA
EPA

Nadal took his Roland Garros record to 84 wins out of 86 matches when he beat Diego Schwartzman yesterday - Robin Soderling in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in 2015 are the only men who have beaten him here - but Del Potro refuses to go into their meeting with anything other than a positive mood.

“I’m going to try and come out with my best tennis, to hit all my best shots,” he said, “He has lost two matches [at Roland Garros] after all, so you should never lose faith.”

Nadal, who has played in 10 previous semi-finals here and has always gone on to win the title when he has reached the last four, insisted that he would not be underestimating his opponent.

“Del Potro has achieved great victories this year,” he said. “I have to play aggressively.”

Dominic Thiem was taking on Italy’s Marco Cecchinato in the other semi-final.

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