MADRID: If there is a player on the tour that knows what Novak Djokovic is going through it is Juan Martin del Potro.
Just two years ago the Argentine was contemplating walking away from the sport due to injury. At the age of 29 he has already had to endure four surgeries on both of his wrists. Resulting in him only being able to play seven tournaments between 2014-2015. Despite the heartbreak, the Argentine has now risen back into the world’s top 10 and recently won his maiden Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells.
Del Potro’s resurgence is one that Djokovic can inspire to. The former world No.1 heads into the Madrid Open with a win-loss record of 5-5 this season. For Djokovic it was elbow surgery that sidelined him from the court and his return has been far from smooth. Illistrated by a recent straight sets loss to Martin Klizan in Barcelona.
“It’s not easy. It’s not something nice to suffer.” Del Potro commented about his opponents woes. “It’s not nice to see that you’re falling down in the rankings, that you’re not feeling as good as you’re used to feeling, because he’s (Djokovic) always been really fit.”
Despite the recent setback for the Serbian, Del Potro is confident that he can return to his best. Djokovic’s career record is one of the best in the Open Era. To date he has won 68 ATP titles (including 12 grand slams) and spent a total of 223 weeks as world No.1. He is also the first man to ever reach $100 million in prize money back in 2016.
“I think there are few players that can come back from injuries and be so good, be up in the rankings where they deserve to be. I think that Djokovic is one of those players.” said Del Potro.
“There are not many more players that are capable of coming back from injury. I think that’s what’s going to happen.”
According to the Argentine, a potential revival of his team mate would be a huge boost to the world of tennis. Djokovic’s appeal includes a social media following of 7.14 million on Facebook and 8.6 million Twitter followers. In 2017 he was ranked 68th in Forbes’ ‘100 celebrity’. A list featuring the highest paid entertainers in the world.
“I think it will not only be good for him but it will be good for the tennis world so that we can see again another great player, so we can see him fighting up there for Grand Slams, fighting for the No.1 with all the top players. We have great players. That will make the tennis even more entertaining.”
Djokovic, who has only won back-to-back matches in two out of five tournaments this year, will take on Kei Nishikori in his first match at Madrid on Monday. He is currently ranked 12th in the world.
