THE RISE OF PHOENIX -DELPO

Dedication. The word we generally hear about sportspersons. There are lots of stories about comeback heroes. Argentina has also got its comeback hero. From a stage of beating legend Roger Federer in a grand slam final to losing to a small player in an ATP tournament, falling from rank 4 to 485, Delpo has seen lots of slopes in his career. But the way he had rise from the ashes like a phoenix bird is definitely an inspiring one.

Juan Martin del Potro, also called Delpo has got a successful career until injury had hit him in 2009. His winning streak of 23 matches over five tournaments next only to Nadal shows his talent. In 2006 he entered top 100 at the age of 18, youngest of all among top 100. He reached top 50 in 2007 and top 10 in 2008. 2009 was his very productive year as he reached semifinal of French open eventually losing to winner Federer and beating same player to win US open and was the first player to win a men’s singles grand slam title other than Big 4 since 2005. In 2010 he achieved his career best ranking 4.
                                       
Its in 2009 after US open injury started for Delpo. He retired in second round at Masters 1000 event in shanghai due to wrist injury but played in ATP World tour finals eventually losing to Davydenko in finals. His prolonged season started causing him problems as he suffered another one in the form of abdominal injury. In 2010, he started new season freshly but his wrist injury pegged him back. He had withdrawn himself from Australian open and missed other grand slams in 2010

‘’This is not a happy moment in my life, but I’m used to fighting adversity and I have the strength to carry this through ” said Delpo.  His got his wrist operated and was left out for 9 months from the game. Rumors also surrounded that he was suffering with depression and is having panic attacks. He came back after 9 months in 2010 and played only 2 matches in Asian tour, losing both of them. He played only 6 matches in 2010.

In 2011, his ranking dropped to 258 and then to 484 after his fourth round exit in Australian opens. That Delpo who defeated Federer and Nadal in a grand slam is lost. But not forever. “Maybe two years ago I can beat top 10 players more easier than today. But this is my present. I have to live with this kind of things I’m trying to go through’’ said Delpo when asked about his form. As the year went on, he periodically went onto unleash his strong forehand that once stunned Federer though not frequently as once he had. He won his first tournament after US open in 2009 by defeating tipsarevic in Delray beach tennis championship. He failed to deliver in slams as round 16 in Wimbledon was his best performance. But his rank increased considerably to 11.

It was in 2012 he started to find his form. He reached quarters in Australian, French open and US open. But his stand out performance was at London Olympics. He lost to Federer in semis, despite fighting for 2hours and 43minutes in final set. The match lasted for 4hrs and 26mnts, longest in the history of Olympics. Delpo secured bronze by defeating Djokovic.  His dreadful forehand started worrying opponents again. He started moving freely in court and his serving is at his peak. After almost two years of frustration, Del Potro had finally proven to his cautious self that he could beat the best players in the world. His comeback was complete. He ended the year ranking 7.“I don’t have the words to explain,” “It’s similar to winning a Grand Slam or maybe even bigger. It’s amazing. I think I’m the most happy of the world at this moment” -Delpo after winning olympic medal.

In 2013 he has already won 3 titles and played one of the best match of the season in Wimbledon semifinal against Djokovic. He is now ranked 5th. Now Delpo can be considered as serious threat to Nadal, djokovic, Murray. 9months of injury and continuously losing to small players will hurt the confidence of any player. But Delpo is such a person who never accepts defeat. His relief from suffer and pain can be seen from tears after winning bronze in olympics We are lucky to be in the era of great comeback kings and Delpo is definitely one of them