Top tweets from Del Potro's return

The Argentine giant received a warm welcome after two years away.

Published Feb 18, 2016

A player ranked No. 1,041 in the world doesn't often receive much fanfare. But not every pro perched like so is named Juan Martin del Potro.

After an 11-month layoff, the major-winning Argentine returned to competitive tennis this week at the Delray Beach Open in Florida. Having faced down four wrist surgeries since topping Roger Federer in a 2009 U.S. Open final, the forehand blaster known as Delpo beat Denis Kudla 6-1, 6-4 in the first round. Here's a sampling of the best tweeted remarks from observers of his return to holding court, highly anticipated since he announced it in a YouTube post on February 3:

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The fans on hand knew what they were beholding with this one. Witness the response del Potro got when he entered the stadium court:

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The return of Juan Martin del Potro! 👏🎾 #DelrayBeachOpen pic.twitter.com/VGkmeZvH2k
— Outside the Ball (@outside_theball) February 17, 2016

Want to feel your heart melt? Just watch this:

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La vincha de Delpo fue para su amigo Franco. Gestos de un campeón pic.twitter.com/4xzc4gwsAu
— JI Ceballos (@JuaniCeballos) February 17, 2016

The match itself catalyzed much talk of Delpo's nearly nonexistent backhand. He sliced the shot for the most part, barely daring to unleash a groundstroke on that side to at all resemble his forehand bullet.

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Good stuff on serve from #DelPotro. Takes the first set with nary a fuss. #delporeturns

He'll ease into the BH, slowly and surely.
— Kartz (@Lord_Kartz) February 17, 2016

With zero backhand, Delpo d. Kudla 61 64.
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) February 17, 2016

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Invoking pop culture, this was the post-match quote of the night ...

Asked Delpo about next opponent, JP Smith. He laughed. "I don't know him...I've been home on the couch watching The Simpsons for 2 years."
— Blair Henley (@BlairHenley) February 17, 2016

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... and it deserves its companion, the No. 1 pun of the evening.

Juan Flew Over the Kudla's Nest
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) February 17, 2016

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1 R ATP Delray Beach: Juan Martin Del Potro is back and wins in straight sets against Denis Kudla! #Tennis #Delpo pic.twitter.com/4ztoy0roqb
— Tennisweek.de (@TennisweekDE) February 17, 2016

Most uplifting tennis scoreline of the year.

A win for the World No. 1,041.

5th match in 2 yrs.

J. Del Potro d D. Kudla 6-1 6-4
— David Law (@DavidLawTennis) February 17, 2016

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And when it was over:

With 130 mph serve and whiplash forehand, del Potro says "maybe I can be dangerous again." https://t.co/lZuWgRSHJU pic.twitter.com/kcW6qF719E
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) February 17, 2016

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What makes this victory all the more sweet is that the 6'6" star is a jolly good fellow.

.@delpotrojuan signs autographs after his win pic.twitter.com/2fHXxkaiUj
— Delray Beach Open (@DelrayBeachOpen) February 17, 2016

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Well acquainted with injuries derailing a career, one Dinara Safina offered her own congratulations.

Huge congrats to @delpotrojuan after such a long break because of the injury came back and won a match!So happy for him!Vamossssss💪
— Dinara Safina (@Dinarik27) February 17, 2016

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Beyond the tennis, Delpo had his final say on Twitter to boot. And that is as it should be.

Hello Delray!! Thanks for your warm welcome. I missed you!! 😀🌴🎾💪 pic.twitter.com/0KF1GRPNAg
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) February 13, 2016

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Ahora sí a descansar! Gracias por estar ahí!!! 😀❤
///
Time for some rest! Huge thanks for being there!!!😀❤ pic.twitter.com/qCpKKgmjDI
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) February 17, 2016

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.

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