Beyond the Big 4: Next Gen players flock to del Potro for inspiration

It's not always easy being a young player in the Big Four era, but at least today's up-and-comers haven't lacked for idols to inspire them. Between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the ATP's 'Next Gen' have grown up watching the giants of the game.

But ask this group of up-and-comers about their favorite player, and it's another name that comes up with surprising frequency: Juan Martin del Potro.

The 29-year-old from Argentina has had some big wins in his career—including the 2009 US Open, when he stunned Nadal and Federer en route to the title—but his resume hardly measures up to those among the Big Four. There have been many highlights, including a pair of Olympic singles medals and memorable wins over Big Four members. But there have been just as many injuries that have derailed del Potro's progress and limited his appearances on tour.

Nevertheless, American teenager Frances Tiafoe has a simple explanation for why del Potro became his favorite player: "He wasn't in the Big Four."

"In 2009, when he won that Slam, he was Top 10, had pretty much no business winning that," Tiafoe, 19, told TENNIS.com. ''And beat Rafa and Fed back-to-back... that was pretty special."

Like most players in his age group, Tiafoe admires the Big Four, but also aims to be among those shaking up the established order.

"I love Federer, I love Rafa, I love Murray, I love Novak, but it's so easy to like those guys," says Tiafoe, who pushed the Swiss to five sets at this year's US Open. "I like to see something different because it does get old. That's what I love [Stan] Wawrinka for, the three years winning a Slam every year [between 2014 and 2016]. And that's why I'm happy that all us are coming up."

While Tiafoe admired del Potro even before his big breakthrough, he's happier still to now have him as a friend. The two had their first tour meeting this season at Acapulco.

"I'm from D..C and there's a big [ATP] 500 event there, he signed a ball for me when I was young," says Tiafoe. "It meant a lot to me to play him in Acapulco, and him being so nice to me, and showing me respect in the locker room, helps a lot.

"I just always really looked up to him. He had a big game, big personality. I kind of modeled my game on him."

Who will be part of the next Next Gen? Tennis Channel's Court Report traveled to Florida for a closer look at this year's Les Petits As - USA Playoffs Lacoste winners:

Del Potro's impact on young juniors is widespread, due in large part because of his height. At 6'6", del Potro is the tallest player to have won a Grand Slam, and his modern, big-hitting style offered a blueprint for the increasingly tall newcomers now climbing the ranks.

"When I was young, I was just looking for players like me, kind of tall," said Karen Khachanov, a 21-year-old, 6'6" Russian who will be competing in this week's ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan. "I like the way [del Potro] was playing, of course. When he won the US Open, in 2009, I was there. I was watching.

"I like the way he destroyed everybody. Obviously, I would like to. I try to hit big, like him, to try to go around the forehand and try to play aggressive."

Not every young player chooses their idol based on similarity of style—6'10" Reilly Opelka says his favorite is 5'10" counterpuncher David Ferrer—but it is often part of the appeal.

Taylor Fritz is another young player who grew up emulating the Argentine's game.

"I've always loved del Potro," the 20-year-old American says. "I've always wanted to play like him. We have different grips and stuff, but that style—just that huge forehand, solid backhand, good serve, just like I always wanted to play."

Fritz also appreciated the way del Potro became a top player in the midst of a historically competitive era.

"When I watched tennis, Federer and Nadal won everything," he says. "So it was kind of nice to see someone, especially someone I play a lot like, break through. And also just the kind of person he is on and off the court, such a good sportsperson, you know, amazing role model, so I've always looked up to him."

Like Fritz, fellow teens Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas are longtime Federer fans, but also count del Potro as a special influence. Shapovalov has described him as "one of my idols," while Tsitsipas names "Federer, del Potro and Wawrinka" as his favorite players.

"Maybe they're growing up watching me," he says. "I know they watch my match against Federer at the US Open, and then I got many young players watch me like an idol, maybe because of that. And now we are sharing locker rooms, we are [sharing] tournaments, and they are good guys also on the tour."

He agrees that his height could also be part of it.

"I work hard physically when I was young, and they are high size also. Maybe they can learn from my movements on the court."

Either way, del Potro looks at his standing as a compliment—and a responsibility.

"I'm wanting to be an example for them, as I do every day, says del Potro. "And everybody are watching me, or watching Rafa or Roger, and we can learn from them a lot of things."

As far as the Next Gen is concerned, they've already learned a lot from del Potro.