Del Potro returns

Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro finally returned from injury this week, playing his first match since March last year. It marks his fourth comeback from injury after undergoing surgery on his left wrist in January and again in June last year. Many players, faced with such a bad run of injuries, might decide to call it a day. But the 2009 US Open champion is back and keen to reclaim his former top 10 status. Here are three reasons why all tennis fans should be thrilled about Delpo's return.

With his big serve and bullet-like forehand, little can stop him when both are firing.

Firstly, at his best he has the game to trouble the world’s best players and it’s always great to have some more top talent in the mix, especially in this Djokovic-dominated period. He has winning records against five of the current top 10 players, all of whom are seasoned veterans, not rapidly improving young players that are likely to prevent him from restoring the status quo. When he won the US Open he became the first player to defeat both Nadal and Federer in the same Grand Slam tournament, this at a time when both players were in their prime. With his big serve and bullet-like forehand, little can stop him when both are firing.

Secondly, he’s not only a great talent, but one that is willing to adapt and improve, and that will be crucial if he’s to fight his way back to the top. The game is always changing, as players are constantly looking to find new ways to get an edge over the completion. It’s easy for top players to become resistant to change, thinking that what has worked for them so well over the years will continue to. But even the king, Roger Federer has had to add new tools to his arsenal to remain competitive. Del Potro understands this better than most, having switched from an extreme Semi-Western Forehand grip to a far more conservative Eastern grip early in his career, a major factor in developing his forehand into a huge weapon. He knows where his strengths and weakness lie and has the strategic advantage of viewing the competition with fresh eyes.

Thirdly, Delpo is a genuinely great guy. He is a down to earth, modest and transparent personality that goes about his business with little fuss. While there are certain benefits of having loose cannons like Nick Kyrgios bringing attention to the sport, it’s the Federers, Nadals, Djokovics and Del Potros that encourage parents to steer their children towards tennis over other sports. These players dispel the myth that young players must become arrogant and ruthless people to excel in a sport of perpetual one-on-one duals.

At 27, one might say the odds are that Del Potro's best tennis is behind him. But I hold out hope for the 'Tower of Tandil’ that IF he can stay healthy, his best is still to come. After three wrist surgeries in just over a year, he certainly deserves a clean run. I for one wish him all the best.