Del Potro: "As long as Djokovic keeps playing, he is the best"

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis

🎾 Joao Fonseca vs Elmer Moller

* You can watch and bet on this match live here..

There are few voices more authoritative to give their opinion in the world of tennis than Juan Martín del Potro. The Argentine still leaves behind the magnificent evening of his farewell match, a worldwide recognition accompanied by Novak Djokovic who closed his professional journey with a bang. He now divides his time between work at his Academy in Florida, recovering from his knee injury, various promotional events... and the moments when we can enjoy him in front of the microphones, like in a recent interview with Olympics where he shares some very interesting insights.

Regarding his companion on his last evening, of course, he did not hesitate to speak. The friendship forged with Novak gives Delpo a significant degree of wisdom when talking about the Serbian. Few perhaps can respond as well to the often-asked question about the motivation or challenges for which Nole continues to play. "I think winning a Grand Slam is something personal for him. He can win more Slams. In terms of tennis, he is the best. He has a lot of experience. If he is in good physical condition, he can handle all of that and succeed. It would be great for tennis if he could win another one after so long, like he did in Paris with the Olympic medal," says del Potro who doubles down on his appraisal of the Serbian: "As long as he is active, he is the best."

MEMORIES OF THE GAMES, FONSECA, AND THE TOP-10

Speaking of the Olympic Games leaves Delpo with emotions running high. The Argentine fondly remembers his path in Rio... and his feelings before facing a Djokovic whom he would eventually defeat. "The moment they told me I was facing Nole was horrible. He was the number one in the world. I was sad, disappointed, felt that Rio was a great opportunity for me, and it was almost impossible to defeat Djokovic in the first match. The Brazilians supported Nole, he was very loved there, and I, of course, was Argentine. However, the match was of such a high level and so emotionally intense that after beating Novak, the Brazilians started supporting me. We connected and created such a strong relationship that I still feel it when I come to Brazil.

The Rio Games were one of the most beautiful weeks of my entire career. I faced Rafa, Andy, Novak, and Roger in two Olympic Games. The best of the best. If it is already difficult to win a medal, imagine facing them. It was a double impossible mission, and I achieved it. The Games are very special for an athlete, there is a spirit and love for the sport that you only experience in a match at the Games."

But those Games are now a decade behind, and tennis evolves in search of new faces and talents. One of them, undoubtedly, is a Joao Fonseca who aims to carry on Delpo's legacy as a flagbearer of Latin American tennis. Juan Martín is clear: his youth is a divine treasure that should compel him not to rush or make poor decisions. "He is very young, he has plenty of time to meet people's expectations. The important thing is for him to build his path and career at his own pace. He needs to be smart and take great care of his physical and mental well-being to continue progressing. More important than moving up in the rankings is evolving to reach the top-10 level that allows him to win Slams. In my opinion, he can do it," says Delpo without hesitation, comparing his tennis to what he displayed not long ago.

"Today's tennis is very strong and powerful, and with his serve and forehand, he will be one of the best. He has a strategy similar to mine, using the serve and forehand a lot. However, matches are so intense nowadays that he will need to prepare physically to perfection. He is already good and has a strong desire to improve," affirms the Argentine, who prefers to avoid questions comparing Joao to past generations. Nonetheless, del Potro does not hold back when comparing the current top-10 with the one he experienced at his peak, stating that the door to entry is slightly more open.

"Reaching the top-10 is extremely tough, that's the reality. However, now that the Big Three, the Big Four, Murray, Wawrinka, and I are no longer in the top-10... everything changes a lot. There are great opportunities for everyone. Before, there were only six spots in the top-10 because surpassing the Big Four was impossible. The circuit is open, there are Argentines who have a chance to achieve it. For my country, having someone competing in the final rounds of a Slam would be incredible. Fonseca is a Latin American who can achieve it, but it requires a lot of patience and discipline."

WHAT ABOUT DEL POTRO AS A COACH?

The daily activities of the Argentine now revolve around his work at the newly opened Del Potro Academy, located in Boynton Beach, Florida. No one better than the albiceleste to confirm that a potential coaching experience is still far off... but there is a name that would make him travel the circuit again: "To be a coach, you need to commit 100% and travel around the world again. I did it for 20 years, I'm tired. However, of course, if Novak asks me to work with him, it would make me very happy (he smiles). I couldn't say no, but I don't think it will happen. The door is not completely closed, but I believe the time to be a coach will come later."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Del Potro: "Mientras Djokovic siga jugando, es el mejor"