Delpo returns with “perfect” wrist

 

Originally published on: 29/09/10 10:11

Juan Martin del Potro’s long-awaited tour comeback may have ended in a straight sets defeat to world No.78 Olivier Rochus, but the 2009 US Open champ was in buoyant mood after completing his first match since January’s Australian Open.

Now ranked at a lowly No.36 after being sidelined by a wrist injury that has virtually wiped out his season, the tower from Tandil immediately saw the positives after his comeback defeat at the PTT Thailand Open.

“The most important thing for today is my wrist – and it’s perfect. I hope to play five or six more tournaments between now and the end of the season,” said the Argentine, who heads to Tokyo next week for the Rakuten Japan Open, where he made the final in 2008.

“It was a great moment for me being with the fans on centre court playing a match again,” added del Potro. “I felt very happy. I lost today but I have good things to take for the future.”

The 22-year-old ranked at No.4 in the world this January, but having plummeted 32 places after undergoing surgery in the United States in May, del Potro has targeted a rapid return to the top of the game.

“I need to work hard to get back in the Top 10. Of course I would love to be back there soon,” he said.

“I’m just happy to be back on the circuit and I hope I get better and better.”

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