Juan Martin del Potro is gaining confidence in his backhand, the shot that has been most affected by his recent wrist surgeries, but says he is not yet ready to appoint a new coach.
Del Potro, who defeated Dominic Thiem in Madrid before falling to Jack Sock, was emotional following his first-round win, which was arguably his best since returning to the tour this season.
"Well, today, the reality is completely different to what it used to be before, when I came nearly as a favorite here to this tournament," he told the press following his win over Thiem. "First of all, being in a competition like this, for me, it's a lot of merit. If I'm able to win matches, even better. Even more emotional. That's why sometimes it's difficult to handle the emotions.
"It's because some great things are happening to me right now. I wasn't crying because I had to leave or because my wrist was hurting or anything."
Though he’s still hitting his backhand with less pace and wrist movement than he was before undergoing surgery, the shot has improved with each passing tournament.
"I think I improved a lot since my last match in Munich,” he said. “Today I hit it really well. I'm growing up with my backhand. I'm getting confidence with my backhand, too ... I need more matches, more progress with these guys to improve that shot."
With former coach Franco Davin and del Potro's trainer both leaving during the Argentine's long layoff, the 2009 U.S. Open champion now has to assemble a new team.
But he wants to get further into his comeback before doing so.
"I'm looking for the correct people to work with me, the right ones,” he said. “As you know, I'm still not so confident. I prefer to wait a little bit longer ... I'm still treating my wrist, and those exercises take a lot of time. Today, after my tournament, I'm just looking after my wrist. I'm thinking about that ... I cannot pretend to get [a] new trainer because I'm still spending a lot of time doing exercises with my wrist.
"If I'm closer to achieving my goals, of course I would like to think about a new team as soon as possible."
Del Potro entered the tournament with a protected ranking.