No matter what happens at the ATP Rolex Paris Masters this week, Juan Martin del Potro will exit the tournament as a happy man.
The Argentine is within touching distance of qualifying for the ATP Finals for the first time since 2013. Six months ago del Potro was ranked outside the top 80 in the ATP Race to London, but has charged up the rankings due to successful second half of the year. Since reaching the semifinals of the US Open, he has achieved a win-loss of 14-3 on the tour. Winning the Stockholm Open and reaching the final in Basel last week.
Del Potro now finds himself closing in on a return to the season-ending event, which features the eight highest ranked players in the world. To qualify he is required to win his quarter-final match in Paris on Friday. A daunting prospect, but one he chooses to relish in.
“It’s going to be a good battle next round trying to qualify for London,” said Del Potro.
“But anyways, I think I have two ways to take, one is London, one is my home and vacation.
“Both ways are great to me, but of course, I would love to reach London once again.”
A lot has happened since the 29-year-old last played in London. A serious wrist injury ruled him out of competition for more than a year and pushed him towards the brink of retirement. Since starting his comeback from injury last year, he has played in three ATP Finals and won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics. Justifying why he was named ‘Comeback player of the year’ in 2016 at the ATP Awards.
Currently ranked 17th in the world, del Potro is closing in on a return back into the top 10. He has been absent from the elite group since August 2014. At his highest, del Potro was once ranked fourth in the world.
“It could be a fantastic moment for me,” he commented about potentially returning back into the top-10.
“I didn’t expect to get this close to qualifying for London.
“And everything is very amazing after all my problems, all my injuries… I love to surprise myself, and that’s what I’m doing now.”
Disposing of Robin Haase in straight sets on Thursday in Paris, he will take on John Isner in the quarter-finals. A player he has a winning 6-2 head-to-head against. He will be bidding to reach his sixth tour semifinal of the season and fifth since September.
