Juan Martin Del Potro, claimed his 19th ATP-title after winning the IF Stockholm Open unseeded and without losing a set.
The Tower of Tandil spoke to the press after the win in the finals against Jack Sock about his last two emotional years, how he will approach next years season and how he still competes with pain in the wrist. Read the full transcript down below.
How much does the title mean for you?
– Well it means something very big for me. I have been trying to fix my problem for the last two years and I didn’t expect to win the title at this moment in my career. I feel very happy to get the trophy here in Stockholm. This motivates me a lot for the future.
How does your schedule look like?
– I will try to play Basel but I feel tired. I’ll see tomorrow if I feel better and if I’m ready to play 100 percent. Then I think I will rest before the davis cup final.
Do you have any goals rankingwise for next season?
– No, I don’t mind about numbers or rankings, I just want to get better. I know that if i’m 100 percent I could be dangerous and beat all the guys on tour, that’s what I’m looking forward too.
Do you think the other top-guys cheer for you for winning the title because you are getting closer to get a seeding in a slam?
– I think they are happy to see me playing tennis again. For me it’s great to win a trophy and I think it’s good too for the tennis world too. The top-guys are making history and they are great champions and I’m so proud to be back at this moment in the tennis history and I would like to be as good as them.
Do you meet another kind of respect from the other players after you came back of all of your injuries?
– I have a lot of respect from the tennis players, from the fans around the world, from everyone. They just want to see me playing tennis again and it doesn’t matter if I win or lose. Staying healthy is very important and you have colleagues behind you trying to support all your decisions and they know how tough it was for me. I think they are very good persons to me and thats important.
You said you were not 100-percent with your backhand, does it mean you have pain when you hit your backhand a little bit harder?
– I have to deal with some pains but I’m doing better and better every week and thats important. Sometimes I get afraid to hit hard but its normalt and take time and it would be better in the next season, but I think I’m playing good tennis with slices and drop shots and reaching the finals of course.
Will you come back for next year?
– If I get a wildcard (laughs).
