2015 Player Preview: Juan Martin del Potro
2015 Player Preview: Juan Martin del Potro
Del Potro may look ungainly at times, but he moves efficiently and effectively
With Juan Martin del Potro slated for a return to action at the Brisbane International in January, it seems like prime time to assess what the Argentinian star can hope to achieve in 2015. Whilst there have but rumours that he is still hampered by a wrist injury, there has be no official word to suggest he will miss the start of the season.
For fans of del Potro, they will not be taking potential news of a fresh injury lightly, as we have seen so often in recent years, the 2009 US Open champion doesn’t have the greatest resistance to injuries. His most recent wrist problem kept him out for almost the entire 2014 season, where he only managed to play in four tournaments.
His ranking sits at a lowly 138 in the world and a significant proportion of his 385 ranking points come from winning the Sydney 250 tournament at the start of last year. If he doesn’t defend these points he will see his ranking slip even further and have to rely on wild cards for the first weeks on tour at least, which is never nice.
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From the single-minded perspective of other players, del Potro will be a dangerous floated in draws when he is picked as an unseeded wild card, especially at the Australian Open where he could easily come out the hat against a Top 10 player round one. However, from del Potro’s perspective the situation is even more difficult.
Aug 30, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) during his match against Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) on day five of the 2013 US Open in Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
His draw will be an absolute minefield to make any meaningful progress in. He will have to be very patient at the start of 2015 as a sharp rise up the rankings will be difficult to achieve. He certainly has the game to do it, mind, and was at World Number 5 knocking aggressively on the door of the Big Four after a full 2013 season.
His ground strokes are long and he hits a heavy ball, perhaps the heaviest off of his forehand wing. His serve is another weapon a
nd you often immediately associate a strong serve with a deficiency in the physical side of the game. Del Potro may look ungainly at times, but he moves efficiently and effectively.
It is easy to forget that we are talking about the man who won the US Open in 2009, beating Roger Federer in an epic final. If any opponent is going to exploit weaknesses in mobility, it would have been Federer. Del Potro has added to his game, too, since 2009. He has sharpened him image and is a very likeable guy on the tour.
I really believe that Del Potro, as only 26 years old, has the best chance of any player to break the dominance of the top guys. He and Kei Nishikori, hugely different players at different points in the career, both have the potential the break through in my eyes. Del Potro’s extended absences from the tour have caused people to forget what he is capable of.
I think 2015 will be a fruitful year for the 6 foot 6 man from Argentina. A favourable draw in Australia will facilitate a smoother rebuilding, but even a setback there shouldn’t stop del Potro from picking up serious points on the rest of the tour. He has 18 career titles which shows he has that winning mentality and I for one can’t wait to see it return in 2015.
Ranking Prediction: 7th
Next: Lob and Smash 2015 Grand Slam Predictions
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