Juan Martin del Potro resumes full playing schedule, starting on clay

Juan Martin del Potro begins his clay-court season this week at Estoril, and plans to return to playing a full schedule on tour.

"The clay-court season is the hardest for me, but every time I've played Estoril I've played good in the other clay-court tournaments," he told local press before the tournament.

The Argentine took an extended break following the 2016 Davis Cup, which del Potro and his nation won for the first time. He has played just four events this season, with his defeats coming against top players—to Milos Raonic in the semifinals of Delray Beach, to Novak Djokovic in the second round of Acapulco and third round of Indian Wells, and to Roger Federer in the third round of Miami.

Del Potro plans to play three consecutive weeks before the French Open in Estoril, Madrid and Rome. The 2009 U.S. Open champion, who returned in 2016 from three left wrist procedures, announced his full schedule on social media.

"Every match is difficult, and having this opportunity, to keep playing tennis, is very important," he said.

Del Potro is No. 33 in the rankings.