Juan Martin del Potro reviews 2009 US Open victory
In conversation with ESPN FC,Juan Martin del Potro reviews the probably greatest success of his career, the triumph at the US Open 2009, and shares an emotional anecdote about his grandfather.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jun 19, 2020, 06:36 pm
Juan Martin del Potro is part of an extremely elite group. Together with Marin Cilic, Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray, he is one of those four players who, besides the "Big Three", have been successful in a Grand Slam since Marat Safins triumph at the Australian Open 2005. The day had come in 2009 for the giant from Argentina when he faced Roger Federer in the final in Flushing Meadows.
It was a déjà vu for del Potro at the time, as the two had met before at the Grand Slam - at Roland Garros at the French Open - but at the time it was already in the final round. And the memories of this game were painful for del Potro, who was unlucky after being injured today: "I had my chance, but I missed it because of my mistakes. I left the pitch like a loser. I wasn't looking to reach the semi-finals I felt that this was my first chance to win a Grand Slam and I let it pass. This game hit me, it hurt a lot, " PuntoDeBreak quoted the Argentine.
Revenge at the US Open
The fact that the chance of triumph seemed so real was mainly due to the fact that the great dominator of the French Open, Rafael Nadal, had previously failed due to Robin Söderling, who in turn had already bought his ticket for the final. "Federer and I knew that whoever won the match would also be the champion," said del Potro. In the end, the match was won by Roger Federer, who proved his nerves in the fifth set of decisions and shortly thereafter celebrated his only and therefore so significant victory at the French Open in the final.
"At 5-2 and match ball I looked up, there was a lot of noise and a lot of people shouted and I saw Championship Point del Potro. My hands trembled automatically and my knees softened, I thought that I was not the same as in Roland Garros could happen, "del Potro recalls his emotional world at the match a few weeks later at the Grand Slam in the heart of New York. Fears that a few moments later turned out to be unfounded when del Potro won the decision set 6: 2.
Grandfather with touching words
While this was certainly the greatest triumph for the Argentinian in terms of sport, it should be hard to beat another emotional success. "After the silver medal at the Rio Olympics, my grandfather said to me:" This is the year to win the Davis Cup. Juancito, you have to win, listen to me. "At that time, his grandfather was already in poor health, del Potro recalls to ESPN FC . After winning the final, grandfather del Potro is said to have said to his grandson:" Juancito, now I am i happy. Now I can go in peace. "
Words that also made an impression on del Potro: "For me, what he said to me was the best thing in the world. He died within a few months. I felt fulfilled because he had given me back so much love he gave me as a boy, he saw everything his grandson had achieved, I think that was one of my greatest achievements besides tennis, " said the Argentinian, who is currently trying to make a new comeback.