Juan Martin del Potro eager to earn spot for ATP Finals in London

Bernard Tomic claims Chengdu Open; Aryna Sabalenka wins Wuhan Open:

Juan Martin del Potro is recharged following a tiring run to the final of the US Open, and has turned his attention on qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals as a reward for his successful season.

“I got exhausted after big effort in New York. But I went at home, spending the time with family and friends,” Del Potro said in Beijing, where he is the top seed. “I trained hard to be ready for this tournament. I know how difficult is this tournament, Shanghai Masters [next week] and the rest. Also we are fighting for the last five spots in London [the ATP Tour Finals], so it could be an interesting battle between us. But I'm excited.”

The 30-year-old is currently No. 3 in the Race to London and No. 4 in the ATP rankings after a great 2018 season. He won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, and reached his second Grand Slam final at the US Open, which he won in 2009. It would be his first time qualifying for the eight-player field since 2013 and his fifth appearance.

“It could be one of my best seasons of my career. It's amazing year to me,” Del Potro said. “I also want to keep going because I like to surprise myself.”

His resurgence follows several years of wrist injuries and multiple surgeries which he says demonstrates his commitment to the game.

“You have to love what you do, then you have to find very, very deep of your body the strength to deal with the pain, to deal with injuries. I had lucky because I found a good doctor who fixed my wrist after three surgeries,” the Argentinian said. “I also was really depressed during couple of months. I was at home with my family,  many other peoples who wants to keep watching me playing tennis. That was very important support for myself. Because of them, I never give up during that time."

US Open champion Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have already qualified for the ATP Finals.

ATP Beijing & Tokyo (Sep. 30-Oct. 7)

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