Juan Martin Del Potro shuts down for the season
It is finally official. The speculation surrounding the return of Juan Martin Del Potro can finally be laid to rest. The Argentine press is reporting now that the Argentine star shall stay in rehabilitation mode through the rest of the season and prepare for a comeback next year. The last few weeks saw fans wonder aloud about a likely return for the Argentine in either Basel or Bercy. Earlier in September, Del Potro issued a statement on his Facebook page to confirm that he was going to stay out of the Asian leg of the ATP World Tour.
The 2009 US Open champion has been beset by wrist problems, having to undergo surgery on both his wrists. Given his immense talent, power and height, Del Potro was considered to emerge as a leading threat to the big four of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray but a spate of injuries have derailed those aspirations. The young Argentine has effectively lost two seasons already in a nascent career, with doubts hovering like clouds, over his baility to translate his potential to results.
“I’m training well, but the recovery from the wrist surgery is slow and I’m still not ready to be in the competitive level that allows me to face the best players in the last two tournaments of the year,” said Del Potro. “I prefer to be patient, cautious, and get ready for next year. I don’t suffer any pain in the wrist, I’m feeling better day by day,” he assured. The “Tower of Tandil” hasn’t taken court since his left wrist was operated in March this year.
Del Potro suffered a five set defeat to Roberto Bautista-Agut at the Australian Open, playing through the pain in his troubled wrist. Subsequently, the Argentine took time to decide whether to opt for surgery or consider other options. But advice from doctors at the Mayo clinic in Minnesota convinced Del Potro that it was best course of action, despite having already lost another season to an injury on his right wrist.