Juan Martin del Potro can end Argentina’s absurd Davis Cup drought—and redefine his star-crossed career—in Croatia

It springboarded Novak Djokovic to previously unseen heights, the apex still undetermined. It allowed Rafael Nadal’s compatriots—both players he’d beaten and fans he’d gained—to enjoy his prime years in a different way. It filled, some said, a missing line on Roger Federer’s resume. And it augmented Andy Murray’s case as one of the sport’s greats, as if that was somehow in question.

The Davis Cup might not be considered tennis’ mythical “fifth major,” but you wouldn’t know it based on the effect it’s had on the careers of the game’s biggest names. Which brings us to Juan Martin del Potro, who will have an opportunity to end one of the more remarkable slumps in tennis this November: Argentina’s Davis Cup drought. The albiceleste has never won the title, though certainly not for lack of effort. Since 2002, Argentina has reached the semifinal round an astounding 12 times, and the final on four occasions, including this year. Yet much like its counterparts in soccer, which has not won a significant international trophy since 1993, the Argentine Davis Cup team has ended each of those deep runs in defeat.

Tennis doesn’t get much bigger than del Potro, the 6’6” fan favorite with a forehand that, for a fortnight, made us reconsider where the game was headed. It was 2009, a year after the Federer-Nadal rivalry crested with their iconic Wimbledon final. Nadal began the new season by winning his first hard-court major in Melbourne, giving him three of the last four Slams. Federer had the other, and went on to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Roger and Rafa seemed destined to reprise their five-set marathons at the All England Club and Australian Open at the U.S. Open, but del Potro single-handedly denied it. Then just 20 years old, he followed up a semifinal shellacking of Nadal—6-2, 6-2, 6-2—with a five-set triumph over Federer in a display that will be remembered more than some of Swiss’ Slam victories.

The only thing bigger than del Potro may be his legend, as we’ve been waiting for his return to that awe-inspiring level ever since. It has certainly not been for lack of effort. Injuries, most specifically and frequently to his wrist, derailed a promising career just as it was getting started, and only sporadically has he found his way back on the original path. In 2012 he defeated Djokovic to win bronze at the London Olympics after losing to Federer in the semis, 19-17 in the third. He reached the Wimbledon semis a year later, falling to Djokovic in five enthralling sets. And just a few weeks ago, in his most recent and thus far encouraging return, del Potro outlasted Nadal at the Rio Olympics to secure a spot into the gold-medal match.

Del Potro would fall to Murray in a bruising contest, giving him silver, but he earned a measure of revenge last week in a different international competition. In Murray’s home country of Scotland, the Argentine turned the tables with a 5:07 victory to open the Davis Cup semifinal tie. It was impressive and pivotal—Argentina would need all five rubbers to eliminate the defending champion—but I was also struck by del Potro’s play in doubles. He didn’t win, but his mere presence in Saturday’s match-up was notable enough—especially when he wasn’t chosen to play in the decisive reverse singles on Sunday. Argentine Davis Cup captain Daniel Orsanic was derided at the time, but del Potro knew he would be unable to properly compete in a potential fifth rubber. Thus, the decision to play him in doubles.

It was yet another sign of the gentle giant giving his team everything he possibly could. Since claiming his first and only Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows seven years ago, he’s done the same for his fans and himself, often in valiant if losing efforts. I had the pleasure of watching one of those incredible displays five years ago in Spain, when Argentina traveled to Seville for the Davis Cup final. Del Potro faced a must-win fourth rubber against Nadal, then still at his indomitable best on clay.

Del Potro emptied his entire arsenal, including his signature forehand, on that fateful day. It was enough to win the first set and fill the Olympic Stadium with deafening chants from the visiting Argentine fans. The home supporters, whose team once led 2-0, were now dealing with some unexpected anxiety.

It was not enough to topple the great Nadal, though it was certainly not for lack of effort. “What more could have have given, what more could he have done,” the commentator rhetorically asks of del Potro in the following clip. “Once again, on the end of a devastating defeat.”

When del Potro and his countrymen travel to Croatia to vie for the Davis Cup in two months, will we be looking back on another epic shortfall, and more of what might have been? Or, will the Argentine win what may be the most important trophy of his career?

For del Potro, it doesn’t get much bigger than this.