You remember the sound, right? That terrifying, whip-crack thud of a forehand that seemed to defy the laws of physics. It wasn't just a tennis shot; it was an event.
Honestly, when people talk about the "Big Three" era, there is always this giant, 6-foot-6 asterisk named Juan Martin del Potro.
Most players tried to survive against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Del Potro tried to hit through them. And for a glorious, brief moment in 2009, he actually did. But the story of the man they call "La Torre de Tandil" (The Tower of Tandil) isn't just about a trophy or a world ranking. It is a saga of what-ifs, surgical scars, and a level of resilience that makes most "comeback" stories look like a light jog.
Now that we are in 2026, and he’s being rightfully nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside Roger Federer, it’s time to look at why his legacy feels so different from everyone else’s.
The night Juan Martin del Potro broke the Matrix
In 2009, Roger Federer was inevitable. He had won five straight US Open titles. He was the king of New York. Then he met a 20-year-old kid from Argentina who looked like he’d rather be playing basketball.
That final was insane.
Del Potro didn't just win; he survived. He was down two sets to one. Federer was cruising. But then Delpo started doing that thing—flattening out the forehand and aiming for the lines with 100mph lasers. He ended up winning 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.
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It was the first time since 1999 that a US Open final went five sets. More importantly, it was the first time we saw a blueprint for beating the "Big Three" at their peak.
He didn't out-finesse Federer. He bullied him.
A body built for power, but made of glass
If you look at the stats, they're kind of heartbreaking. 22 career titles. A career-high of World No. 3 in 2018.
But then there are the surgeries.
- Right wrist surgery in 2010.
- Three separate surgeries on his left wrist between 2014 and 2015.
- Multiple knee surgeries after a freak slip at Queen's Club in 2019.
Basically, every time he climbed back into the top 10, his body decided it had had enough. Think about the mental toughness required to go through eight surgeries. Most of us would have quit after the second. But Juan Martin del Potro kept coming back because he genuinely loved the noise of the crowd.
There’s a famous match at the 2017 US Open where he was battling the flu against Dominic Thiem. He could barely breathe. He lost the first two sets 1-6, 2-6. The crowd started chanting his name, and he somehow found the energy to win in five. He later said the fans' energy literally cleared his illness.
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That’s not hyperbole; that’s just Delpo.
What most people get wrong about his "Retirement"
People often think he just gave up because of the pain. The reality is much more human.
By 2024, after his farewell exhibition match against Novak Djokovic in Buenos Aires, Del Potro admitted he couldn't even climb stairs without pain. His retirement wasn't a choice; it was a surrender to a body that had given everything it had.
He finished his career with 20 wins over the "Big Four." That is a staggering number. Only two other players—Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych—managed 3+ wins over each member of the Big Four.
Del Potro was the giant killer.
He didn't just play matches; he played wars. His 2016 Olympic run in Rio is a perfect example. He was ranked 145th in the world, coming off wrist surgery, and he knocked out Novak Djokovic in the first round. Then he beat Nadal in the semis. He left with a silver medal and the respect of every person in that stadium.
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The Hall of Fame and the Legacy of the Forehand
As we look toward the 2026 Hall of Fame induction, the debate isn't about whether he has the numbers. It’s about the impact.
Tennis is a sport of precision, but Del Potro made it a sport of passion. He didn't have the "perfect" career, but he had the most "relatable" one. We saw him cry on the court. We saw him struggle to hit a backhand because his wrist wouldn't let him. We saw him change his entire game to stay competitive.
Actionable Insights for Tennis Fans and Players
If you want to truly appreciate the "Del Potro way," look at these specific elements of his game and life:
- Resilience over Perfection: Don't wait for perfect conditions to perform. Del Potro won some of his biggest matches while being physically compromised.
- The "Hammer" Forehand: Study his 2009 US Open highlights. Note how he uses his height to create a downward angle on the ball, making it nearly impossible to return even for the best defenders.
- Adaptability: When he couldn't hit a powerful two-handed backhand anymore, he developed one of the most effective slice backhands on tour to stay in points.
- Connection: He understood that professional sports are entertainment. He played for the crowd, which is why he remains one of the most beloved players in history, even in rival territory.
Juan Martin del Potro might not have the 20+ Grand Slams of his peers, but in the hearts of tennis fans, he’s just as legendary. He was the man who dared to swing as hard as he could when the world told him to play it safe.
If you're looking for the heart of modern tennis, it's 6'6" and lives in Tandil.