Del Potro Bids To Join Rare Company In Miami

Still reeling from his breakthrough ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, Juan Martin del Potro is keeping his celebrations in check ahead of the Miami Open presented by Itau. The Argentine is riding an 11-match winning streak, having also claimed the trophy in Acapulco.

He arrives in Miami seeded fifth, with his lone semi-final appearance coming back in 2009 (l. to Murray). A title run would catapult the 29-year-old into an elite group – currently occupied by just seven men – to have claimed the Sunshine Double (winning Indian Wells and Miami back to back).

Speaking ahead of his 10^th Miami campaign, Del Potro’s triumph over Roger Federer in Sunday’s Indian Wells final was still sinking in. Motivation was high as he prepared to open his campaign in Key Biscayne.

“It was an epic match,” Del Potro said of the Indian Wells final. “The level of tennis was very high. The people love to see this kind of tennis. And also the passion which both players showed in the finals was great to see.

“To me, beating Roger in another final, having a positive record against him in finals, is some good. And also to get my first title playing a Masters 1000 in Indian Wells… a place I like to play, that makes me feel special, and I’m excited to keep enjoying these days here in Miami with all my people. I’m excited to keep playing good tennis here.”

Back up to No. 6 in the ATP Rankings, Del Potro will open his campaign against Robin Haase after a first-round bye with former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori drawn to meet him in the third round. Like Nishikori, another player on the comeback trail, six-time Miami champion Novak Djokovic, stands as Del Potro’s likely fourth-round opponent.

After four wrist surgeries and back playing at his highest level in years, the Argentine is well and truly in the mix when talk of big titles arises. It is a status the typically modest Del Potro would prefer to downplay. Amid all the talk of the Sunshine Double, his priority remains staying healthy enough to compete at the highest level.

“I’m not thinking too much. I’m just enjoying the moment that I am living,” Del Potro said. “I know what I have been through to get to this time and this place and this ranking. I am still calm… It will be my fourth tournament in a row. I’m tired, and mentally and physically it’s not easy to deal with all of these emotions.

“But then I will have a break, I will see what tournament we play on clay, because my body feels that surface, and I want to stay healthy during the whole season. That’s my biggest goal.”