Del Potro attacks Carlos Alcaraz: “At his age I beat Federer, he suffers from cramps”

Juan Martin del Potro was one of the strongest tennis players of the last 15 years, but at the same time one of the unluckiest. The career of the Argentinian, winner of the US Open in 2009, has always been punctuated by numerous injuries, undergoing eight surgeries between 2010 and 2021.

Constant physical defections forced him into lengthy absences from the Tour, with four instances where recovery time exceeded nine months. The last appearance of the former number three in the world dates back to the Argentina Open in February 2022, a match in which he lost against his countryman Federico Delbonis.

In a recent interview given to the Argentine newspaper Pangina12, the tennis player native of Tandil, reflected on a theme that has plagued him throughout his career, that of injuries.

Del Potro attacks Carlos Alcaraz: “At 20 I beat Roger Federer”
Delpo explained: “I live with two sensations.

I’m angry, feeling annoyed and wondering why. And then the opposite happens and I think: why not me? I’m normal: there are many athletes who suffer.”

Then the Argentinian talked about the cramps accused by Carlos Alcaraz, which compromised his performance during the semifinal of the Roland Garros played against Novak Djokovic: “Alcaraz had cramps after played two sets with Djokovic and he’s 20; at 20 I won the final of the US Open against Federer.”

Then the South American champion added that the toughest opponent of his career was his body, never fearing a challenge with the best players in this discipline: “I’ve never had a problem beating the best: my problem was treating wrist.

If it hurts to hit my backhand with the top, ok, I play with the slice, I don’t use my hand. My toughest opponent was my body. I wasn’t afraid to play against the best.” A few weeks ago Del Potro expressed his willingness to try to play at least one more tournament before definitively saying goodbye to the Tour.

The 34-year-old’s desire to return to the court again is stronger than any physical and emotional conditioning: “My goal is to be ready to play an official match at the US Open. I don’t know if I’ll be 100% or not but if my last match should ever be this year, I want it to be in New York.”