Del Potro predicts comeback later this month

The Argentine tennis player recently underwent a second wrist surgery

BUENOS AIRES: Former world number four Juan Martin Del Potro, having drawn confidence from his brief Sydney return in January, said on Monday he was confident of a full comeback "very soon".

The Argentine giant, who has endured a stop-start career since winning the US Open in 2009, is recovering from a second corrective operation on his left wrist following surgery a year ago.

"I'm not going drop my arms or surrender because of an injury. If my hand responds well, I'll come back as soon as possible but that depends exclusively on my hand, it will decide my return," Del Potro told a packed news conference.

"I'm in full recovery; I'm going faster than the time frame the doctor set for me as a goal.”

The 26-year-old, who missed most of the 2010 season after surgery on his right wrist, also confirmed an improved relationship with the Argentine Tennis Association (AAT) and a return to his country's Davis Cup team.

Del Potro said he and his friend, US Open champion Marin Cilic who is nursing an arm injury, had entered their names as a doubles team for Indian Wells next week essentially to comply with the formality in case they feel fit enough.

He added, however, that it was more realistic to think of a return in Miami from March 25.

The 1.98-metre Argentine, known as the Tower of Tandil, said he had been practicing with the Davis Cup team who face Brazil in a world group first round tie at home this weekend.

 

 

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