Former ATP world number four Juan Martin Del Potro will make a much anticipated return to action this week and compete in Indian Wells; the first Masters 1000 of the year. The current world number 618 was handed a wildcard into the main draw in the hope that he will return to his fighting best and start the road to his long-awaited comeback.
Del Potro has been injury prone since late 2009 when he broke his wrist—an accident he has never fully recovered from. The Argentine however started his year promisingly by making it to the Apia Sydney International quarter-finals, losing to Kukushkin. Many people looked forward to seeing the former US Open champion in action in Australia yet Juan Martin unfortunately had to pull out of the event due to undergoing minor wrist surgery in late January.
The 26 year old accepted a wildcard into the main draw at Indian Wells, and is thought to have made a “full recovery” healing better than he or his doctors could have expected from his latest surgery; the second operation he has had on his left wrist since it started causing him trouble with his forehand—perhaps his biggest weapon.
Del Potro, who has been anticipating a March return at the first Masters tournament of the year since he took time out, is also going to be competing in the doubles event with 2014 US Open Champ Marin Cilic, who has also been sidelined with injury since 2014, proving he will be wanting as much match-fitness as possible ahead of his return to play and mounting comeback.
‘Delpo’ is very much an adored player on the ATP circuit by fans and players alike and has been sorely missed; his game style and mental toughness make him a hard opponent to beat and such a compelling player to watch. Although he goes into Indian wells with only two match wins in 2015 the fans will certainly relish the former Grand Slam winner’s return to action and hope this week’s play will be a sign of things to come throughout the rest of the season.
Indian Wells will be a big test for the Argentine: the 2013 runner-up, who lost to Nadal that year, will find it a happy hunting ground. However his low ranking and wildcard entry into the draw means a possible first round clash with an in-form player, which will be a less than ideal start to his campaign. We will not yet know who the ‘Tower of Tandil’ will play in his opening round which commences on Wednesday—the draw is yet to be published at the time of writing.
Main Photo Credit: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images
