Proud of my career but I never became No. 1 because there was Federer, Nadal or Djokovic: Juan Martin del Potro

Juan Martin del Potro recently stated that he was proud and satisfied with his tennis career. He also claimed that it was the presence of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer that prevented him from becoming the World No. 1.

Del Potro is a Grand Slam champion, having won the 2009 US Open title by defeating Nadal and Federer in the semifinals and final respectively. He won 22 ATP singles titles in his career, led Argentina to the 2016 Davis Cup title, and also won two Olympic medals — bronze in London 2012 and silver in Rio 2016.

Between the 2005 French Open and the 2012 US Open, in a span of 30 tournaments, the Argentine was the only player outside the Big 3 to win a Major.

Despite his achievements in the sport, the highest del Potro managed to climb the ATP rankings was No. 3, a feat he achieved in August 2018. At the time, Federer was 1000 points and a spot above him, while almost 5000 points separated del Potro from Nadal at the top.

Speaking at a recent Roland Garros Junior Series event in Sao Paulo, Del Potro claimed that the Big 3 denied him his “dream” of getting the World No. 1 rank.

“The only thing I lacked was being No. 1. It was always a dream and I always worked for it… but I was proud of my career and I never made it because there was either Federer, or Nadal or Djokovic,” he said. (via Tenisnews)

“When I look at the rankings and the years of my career and who was fighting to be No. 1, I see that it was beautiful that these were the ones who didn't let me make it, this dream,” he added.

The 34-year-old, who has hung up his racquet following multiple wrist and knee injuries, does not expect another Big 3 to emerge when Djokovic and Nadal join Federer in retirement.

“One day, the 'big three' will end and we have Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner or Holger Rune, other young people who will mark the circuit. But for me, [for] many years - the 'big three' - there will not be anything similar,” he opined.

Juan Martin del Potro played his last tour match over a year ago, losing to Federico Delbonis at the 2022 Argentina Open.

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Juan Martin del Potro was the “next one” after Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray: Sebastian Baez

Juan Martin del Potro during a practice session prior to the Fever-Tree Championships at Queens Club in 2019.

World No. 35 Sebastian Baez believes that compatriot Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina's most successful male tennis player, comes right after Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray in the list of modern-day greats.

Speaking on the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast, Baez remarked that del Potro was a great player in his own right.

“He always stays there. I don't know too much but I know that he's a good guy and of course, was an amazing, amazing player. After the Big 4, he was the next one,” Baez stated.