Andy Murray praised opponent Juan Martin del Potro following their meeting in the Olympics singles final, which Murray won in four long sets.
Del Potro, who returned to the tour this season following three surgical procedures on his left wrist, defeated Novak Djokovic in the first round and Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
Murray said he watched the Argentine play in the semifinal against Nadal before squaring off against him in the final.
"He obviously played, at times tonight, extremely well,” Murray said. “He’s done amazing, really, to get back to playing and competing at this level after all the issues he’s had with his wrists. Mentally, I can only imagine how frustrating that must have been, to keep going through the same program and to try and come back."
According to Spanish news agency EFE, Murray said it is a "definite" possibility del Potro can return to the Top 5. He was ranked as high as No. 4 in 2010.
Murray sees del Potro playing similar tennis moving forward.
"It’s amazing he’s come back from it, but also back to the level he’s playing at just now,” the world No. 2 said. “He deserves a lot of credit for that, and he should be very proud. It’s not an easy thing to do."
Having begun the season ranked in the 700s, del Potro is up to No. 141 in the world.