Juan Martin del Potro isn't the only Argentine making a comeback from wrist surgery. While the former U.S. Open champion has announced he will return in Delray Beach, compatriot Juan Monaco plans to be back at next week's event in Buenos Aires.
Monaco has not played on tour in almost seven months, undergoing wrist surgery that kept him in a cast for a month and a half. In an interview in Spanish with the Buenos Aires website, he said going into the procedure he was concerned about whether he could ever resume his career, but drew encouragement from reading about childhood inspiration Andre Agassi's account of his own wrist issues.
The 31-year-old said he could have delayed his comeback a bit longer, but he wanted to compete at his home country's event.
"These are new feelings after seven months away from the circuit, but I feel good after having a long time to recover," Monaco said on the ATP website. "I'm thankful I can return here in Buenos Aires because it's one of the tournaments I like most."
The former Top 10 player is not setting any ranking goals before he takes the court again, saying to the Buenos Aires website, "Just to be back on the court, among my fellow players, all that is good. I will not force for a win. My greatest victory will be to finish healthy."
Just as well, because he could play Rafael Nadal in the second round.