Praise Flows For del Potro

As the celebrations continue in Tandil and throughout Argentina, Juan Martin del Potro’s achievement at the US Open has drawn praise from his fellow Argentine players and sports stars.

The legendary Guillermo Vilas, who was the first – and only other – South American man to win the US Open (when it was contested on clay in 1977) said: “Juan Martin undoubtedly showed how to be a champion. I saw how he played the whole match and it is amazing that he has won the US Open at such a young age.”

Gabriela Sabatini, the Argentine who won the US Open trophy in 1990, also heaped praise on the 20-year-old del Potro. “Congratulations to Juan Martin and his whole team for this extraordinary triumph. I would like to highlight the maturity he showed in the final and throughout the whole tournament. This shows that he is one of the best players in the world. I am delighted that another Argentine has won a Grand Slam title.”

World No. 37 Juan Monaco, a great friend of del Potro’s and fellow Tandil native, blogged his excitement immediately. “It’s so exciting. I have known him since he first joined Club Independiente and I can’t believe it. We all knew he would win a Grand Slam at some point, but to do it so young shows what a great player he is going to be.”

Monaco added, “The great thing about Juan is that he is just getting started. I have believed in him for a long time. I know that he is going to be World No. 1 and this step is so important for him. I know his goals and this achievement is going to make him believe even more that his game is good enough to be the best in the world.”

Monaco, who lost to del Potro in the first round of the US Open, said of the final: “I watched the first two sets in the gym while I was training. Afterwards I went home to watch the rest in peace and quiet. It was so exciting and I cried afterwards because I love Juan like a brother.”

Former World No. 3 David Nalbandian, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2002 (l. to Hewitt), told of his joy at del Potro’s success. “It’s a great triumph for Argentine tennis and shows that anything is possible. What Juan Martin did was fantastic. He is the first of the new crop of Argentine players to win a major title.”

The winner of the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup pointed out that “Juan Martin showed that anything is possible and this brings a lot of joy to all Argentine players. On Monday he showed what a great player he is - in a Grand Slam final against no less than the very best, Roger Federer, who also played a great match."

One of Argentina’s greatest-ever basketball players, Emanuel Ginobili wrote about the match on Twitter. After del Potro had fought from a break down to level the match at one-set-all, the San Antonio Spurs player tweeted: “Vamooooooooossssss!! I’m shouting!! 1-1. Vamos Delpo! /// Great set by DelPotro. 1-1 and trying hard against the best”. At the end of the match the jubilant Ginobili posted: “How exciting!!! Wonderful!! We’re going crazy!! GREAT DELPO!!! What joy you have brought to us!”

Former player and ex-Davis Cup captain, Alberto Mancini said: “Without doubt Juan Martin can be World No. 1. He has improved beyond measure this season, but he is still only 20 years old and has not yet reached his full potential.”

Of a similar opinion is Toni Nadal, coach and uncle to six-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. “I have said for a long time that del Potro could be World No. 1. He has the best chance of doing it, along with (Andy) Murray and (Novak) Djokovic.”