When will Del Potros injury lay off no longer be a factor?

I am a huge fan of the 6'6 Argentine, I followed him casually for some time but the match against Nadal in Miami 09 is where he really started to stand out to me and as the man of the future.

Novak was having problems with his serve and was about to slip to 4th in the rankings, Murray was winning a lot at this time and looked to be finally threatening, but his 4th round loss to Verdasco at the Australian Open made me doubt him in the slams, Federer was smashing rackets and was still nursing his tough defeat in the Aus Open final, and Nadal seemed quite perplexed what to do against the hard hitting of the giant on that day. It wasn't Del Potros game that impressed me most, but of course I was in awe of the mans stunning power. It was his mental strength, something I hadn't seen against Nadal in a very long time, someone who refused to blink.

It was then at the French Open, when I was desperately hoping Federer would seize the incredible chance to grab that slam title that we all knew he craved so badly. Del Potro showed a side to him again that I felt Andy Murray just didn't have, and at the time I didn't think Novak had anymore. He didn't read his script that day, he was supposed to be cast a side like he had been him his previous 5 matches. Federers eventually came out on top but Del Potro showed me enough that day that he would win a slam, he was just 20 years old.

We all know what he did at the US Open, and it seriously started to look like he had made his mark and Federer had just passed the torch to the man who would take over from him, the man who would stand up to Nadal in the coming years. Federer said himself, that had he not got injured he had a shot at being Number 1.

However, after his year out we all knew it would take him time to get back to his best. But I am just starting for the first time to question if he is actually already back to his best? And while he has been gone, the level of the game has gone up another notch. When he won that slam at 20 it seemed inevitable that he would win many more, but he is now closer to 24 than 23 and its starting to look less and less likely. Is he just a Marat Safin like the 2000 Us Open? Or is it he just one big win away from exploding?

I don't know either - time will tell. A horrid blow for an endearing promise.

Well, I think in some ways Juan has stagnated. The injury has put him back enormously and it really has been tragic. But I don't see a serious attempt to round out his game. It is just very difficult to come out there and have to blow out all your opponents with pace of shot every match. Del Potro needs to work on variety right now. There is no question that the injury has really hurt his development. But the good thing is that he is still very young and potential wise the sky is still the limit. For a guy who is six, six and hits that big he also moves strikingly well.

He has not developed his game. It is long time since injury must have healed. Even if he finds it difficult against Federer, what about the rest. That too is not happening. Nadal has tried to improve his serve and sometimes, his positioning at the baseline. Federer has steadied his backhand against Nadal in recent times. Murray tries aggression, though sometimes uncontrolled. Djokovic has developed to such a level in just about six months after U.S Open 2010. Delpo will perhaps do something, but should not delay. Time is now not on his side.

I agree, surely the injury is healed by now and it is a case of playing catch up as the game has moved on a bit.

At the end of the day 6'6' guys dont dominate the game...never have, never will. Similar for Raonic. But they can cause trouble here and there for sure, be solid top 15ers and maybe 'nick' the odd slam when they have a wonder-run....JMDP, Krajicek, T.Martin (should have won SW19 vs Wshington).

The first time I ever saw Delpo play was when he was in the Davis Cup for Argentina against Spain.. when they chose to play indoor hard court (not their custmary clay) because they thought it would stunt Nadal.. who never played anyway. Delpo had MTO during that match with what appeared to be a groin strain. Nalbandian was not a happy bunny and I think he was of the belief that Delpo was being a bit of a Prima Dona (he was just a kid after all) Though I thought at the time that Delpo was not one to be able to cope with pain.
Frankly I never believed then he would develop into a serious top ten contender neither did I believe him capable of being a slam winner... well how wrong was I.

Since then I have slowly become a fan of Delpo and was sorry that the wrist was more of a problem than originally thought. However since his comeback I dont think he is as confident a player as he was .. is it that he is reluctant to put the wrist fully to the test because I dont think he is hitting the ball as solidly and as hard as he did. Is that injury still on his mind albeit it should be well and truly healed as you all have said.. He still has time but I think his chance will pass him by if he cant take his game up to the level I personally believe he can

On a good day, he can cause trouble, as Hn says.

Safin was closest to DelPo in terms of height and played pretty well.

DelPo's USO 2009 reminds me of Edmondson's AO 1976 or Noah's 1983 FO.

H-n alludes to a possible issue of confidence and I think that could well be a key factor.

It's tough for any player to get back to his best after a serious long-term injury, and Delpo deserves great credit for climbing the rankings again as quickly as he did. But that climb does now seem to have stalled somewhat.

The next 12/18 months are obviously critical because these should be his peak playing years ; but on the most recent evidence it's really hard to predict just how things will pan out for him.

We all know just how talented Delpo is when on top form. His USO win came about in such impressive fashion that it seemed only a matter of time before another Slam would follow. He had disposed of Rafa in double-quick time in the semis, and then that huge forehand was painting the lines time after time after time against Fed. But ...... is it just possible that he might never play quite as well again over a two week spell ??

Apart from quirky 'unique' events (eg Goran at SW19 in the twilight of his career) it's natural to think that any young Slam winner can go on to become a multi-Slam winner. But it doesn't automatically follow. As Roddick will attest, getting that second Slam can prove to to be an elusive quest, and he's not alone of course.....

Since he's been back to what looks (?) like full fitness, Delpo has played eight times against the big guys : once v. Djoker, twice vs. Rafa, five times v. Fed. (no meetings v Murray) But he has lost all eight. He did battle ferociously against Rafa in the DC tie. But since then, against the ageing Fed - the guy he famously tamed to win that US trophy of course (when Fed was still, just about, at his peak) - he has not taken a single set in his last five meetings.

On the old 606 there was a small group (inc. some of the more notorious and now departed WUM's) who would waffle on endlessly at the back end of 2010 and then 20111 about a new 'Golden Generation' which apparently consisted of Rafa, Djoker, Murray AND Delpo. Personally I never bought it as a concept. Firstly because two of those players were far from 'new.' Rafa had been winning Slams since 2005 and Djoker since 2008. And secondly, of the other two, one had won one Slam and the other had not (and still hasn't) yet won a single set in a Slam Final.

In summary I really want Delpo to kick on and show us far more of just what he's capable of, in the same way that I want some of the (even) younger players to break through into the top level - for the good of the game as a whole. But for Delpo himself things seem far from certain. The sport does not stand still for anyone and that's why I believe the remainder of this year and then 2013 is the crucial time for him.

I remember Mats Wilander saying once that the US Open was the best 2 weeks Del Potro has ever played and may well ever play, just like Marat Safin 9 years earlier. Everyone was expecting him to keep doing it but he couldn't, that was the best he will ever play. It was an amazing tournament, he is talented enough to sneak one or two more but he isn't someone who has a game that can dominate.

I always felt that Del Potro's opponents were naive in trying to smack the ball hard at him and not using tactics in 2009.. he has been found out and won't win another slam imo.

Well i have to disagree with lydian i think as we see tall guys that move better and better players Del Po size will have more and more success. I do agree that his height may be too much for a tennis player six three is about the maximum you need before it starts to cause some problems. But I think the median size of the tennis players have been going up so it will become possible to see players this size winning slams consistently. I like the analogy that was made to safin. Del Potro reminds in a lot of ways as safin he isn't as bombastic but game and athletic ability wise. I think Del Po will win at least one more slam so I disagree with those who say he can't improve on 09. However, I think he will only win again if he makes a serious effort to round out his game, work the slice backhand, improve at net.

He's starting to get that intimidation factor back, walking around the court purposefully recently but he needs that big win still, over top 4

he will get it over nole this tournament.

I think recently he has only been drawn against Federer of the top four.

Federer - five times since Aug 2011 lost every one. (four in 2012)
Nadal - three times since Mar 2011 lost every one (plus one walkover) - all in 2011
Djokovic - Once since May 2011 - lost ... but Del Potro did win one after Djoko retired in second set (2011 Davis Cup)
Murray - hasn't played since 2009

ic - you're taking the bold approach again !