Tennis: Juan Martin del Potro back with changed mentality

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina looks on against John Isner of the USA during Day 5 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 3, 2017. Photo / Getty Images/

When Juan Martin del Potro landed in Auckland last Friday, it wouldn't surprise if he ticked 'business' in the purpose of visit section on his arrival card.

The Argentine believes he can go deep at another grand slam in 2018, starting with the Australian Open, and the ASB Classic forms a key part of that strategy.

That's been epitomised since his arrival in this country.

The world No11 has trained twice a day, every day, since he arrived, often gruelling 90 minute sessions, and has eschewed any of the pre-tournament sightseeing and other activities that players are offered. Del Potro also missed the tournament's player welcome party on Sunday night, one of only two players that choose not to attend.

The 29-year-old has worked incredibly hard to get back to the top, after a awful run with injuries since he broke onto the scene in 2008.

He endured four wrist surgeries, which took him out of the game for long periods, and two years ago was close to retirement.

Now he's back, and looking forward to making more history in 2018.

"I've been training hard for the last four weeks," said Del Potro. "I'm feeling good with my body, my wrists, my hips and I will be in shape to play this tournament and this Australian Open."

Since his unforgettable triumph at the 2009 US Open, Del Potro has reached the last eight at nine other majors, and progressed to the semi finals three times, most recently last September in New York.

Does he have another grand slam run in him?

"I don't know — I work for that," said Del Potro. "I was close in the US Open last year, beating Roger [Federer] and then Rafa [Nadal] played great. You never know. I know if my body feels strong enough to play with those guys, I will have a chance to compete at that level. It's the most exciting part of my life to try to win another big event. In all grand slams anything can happen...there is a surprise in every tournament and I would like to be that surprise for the next tournament."

Auckland tennis fans will see Del Potro, mark II, when he steps on court on Wednesday. He's still the laconic, charismatic figure that made him such a sensation back in 2009, but he has been forced to retool his game due to his fragile wrists. Instead of the bludgeoning top spin backhand he now employs a slice; he's lost a weapon but added more variety.

But perhaps more importantly is the change to his mentality. As he repeated several times during yesterday's press conference, Del Potro, after all he has been through, feels he has nothing to lose and nothing to prove.

"I'm doing a new career after all my problems and I think I am enjoying tennis even more than years ago," said Del Potro. "I played without pressure the whole year [in 2017] after winning the Davis Cup. It was so big for me and my country. Now I have nothing to lose. I was close to quitting tennis two years ago and now I am playing without pain, playing good tennis and enjoying a lot this life again."

As second seed, Del Potro receives a bye into the second round on Wednesday, where he will play either Canadian Denis Shapovalov or Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil.