Del Potro Empathizes With Rafael Nadal

Written by: Resendiz on 26th October 2012

Del Potro Empathizes With Rafael Nadal

epa03436709 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina returns to German Daniel Brands during their match at the Erste Bank ATP tennis tournament in Vienna, Austria, 17. October 2012. EPA/HELMUT FOHRINGER |

Argentine Juan Del Potro has fulfilled a 2012 tennis dream by reaching the year-end final after a victory at the Swiss Indoors.

But the South American who booked into the seventh spot at the World Tour Finals feels sympathy for injured rival Rafael Nadal, who withdrew injured a few hours earlier with continuing knee problems to open the door for Del Potro.

Del Potro knows exactly where the Spaniard is coming from after sitting out much of 2010 to heal after wrist surgery. “We miss Rafa a lot on the Tour. He is one of the best players in history, he will come back strong. I’m sure it will be very soon. He will be ready to win a big event again.

“I know that he can play better than me when he makes his comeback, I wish all the best to him. I’m sad for Rafa, he’s really trying in his comeback. But it’s not easy after such a longtime away. I had the same feeling with my wrist.”

Del Potro’s entry still means two more players can qualify into the eight-man field for the season wrapup which starts a week from Monday in London.

Trailing behind are injured rivals Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and Serb Janko Tipsarevic, both of whom lost early this week and need to recover next week at the Paris Masters to claim their spots.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Basel Open, Janko Tipsarevic, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin Del Potro, Rafael Nadal, Swiss Indoors, tennis injuries