Del Potro's physical issues

[Moxie]

I translated this from the Argentine press:

http://www.tennisfrontier.com/news/physical-impediments-a-nightmare-for-juan-martin-del-potro/

It's been a stutter-start comeback from the tall "Tandilenese." Any opinions about how, or when, he rights the ship?

 

[brokenshoelace]

Right the ship physically? Never in my opinion. Way too many injuries in too many different body parts. Generally, it is not the sort of things that just goes away with time (quite the opposite, actually).

 

[El Dude]

I agree with Broken, unfortunately. This is not to say that Del Potro won't be around for years and still be a regular in the top 10, but that I doubt he'll ever fulfill the promise he showed a few years ago and probably never really challenge for a Slam, unless the stars align just right. I just can't see him pushing through seven 5-set matches and getting by stamina warriors like Djokovic, Murray, and Nadal.

On a side note, over the last four or five years--since the formation of the "Big Four"--there have been only a few players who have stepped up and challenged to bridge the gap between the Big Four and the rest of the field. Unfortunately the main two--Soderling and Del Potro--have struggled with injuries. Ferrer isn't quite good enough; he's a strong #5 caliber player, but just doesn't have the weapons to challenge the Big Four. Berdych and Tsonga are both too erratic, and no one else is talented enough (except, perhaps, Raonic, Janowicz, and Dimitrov, but we're not there yet).

Maybe that slot is cursed, who knows.

 

[Denis]

He is younger than the others you mentioned El Dude. And I don't expect Nadal and Djokovic to last into their late 30s at a top level. So he can at least outlast those players, but yes it will be difficult to win more slams. By the way, is it just me or did Del Potro change his forehand somehow since the US Open win compared to now? Any reasons for that?

 

[El Dude]

Del Potro is only 16 months younger than Djokovic and Murray and thus, with his brittle body, is probably about the same "real age." I don't see him outlasting either of those two; maybe Rafa, who is another year older.

The players that are going to start beating Novak, Rafa, and Andy (and Roger, but he's of a different generation) or those in their early 20s. As I've said elsewhere, the vast majority of players take a half-step back around age 26-27, and then a bigger step back around age 31-32. Rafa is turning 27 this year, Novak and Andy 26, so they're all about that age. I think 2013 will see continued dominance by the Big Four, but once we get to 2014--when Rafa turns 28, Novak and Andy 27 (and Roger 33)--we're going to at least start seeing the cracks showing and maybe a few upsets here and there by the upcoming generation of Dimitrov, Janowicz, Raonic, Goffin, etc.

But my point is that Del Potro is, unfortunately for him, too close to the age of the current dominant players - less than a year and a half younger than the much healthier Djokovic and Murray.

 

[Denis]

You're right, I thought the age difference was a bit bigger.

 

[Front242]

He is younger than the others you mentioned El Dude. And I don't expect Nadal and Djokovic to last into their late 30s at a top level. So he can at least outlast those players, but yes it will be difficult to win more slams. By the way, is it just me or did Del Potro change his forehand somehow since the US Open win compared to now? Any reasons for that?

Imagine it can only be that he just can't hit as hard since he bust his right wrist in 2009. He was hitting the ball insanely hard all that tournament and especially against Nadal and Fed. Gotta take its toll. His DTL BH is pretty much nowhere to be seen also since then between recovering from a bust right wrist and then hurting the left. The poor guy has really had some nasty injuries at a really young age and I doubt he'll really ever play like 2009 again.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

things can change quickly..del potro was unlucky to get a big puke virus..so what, that can happen, too bad, he will bounce back, not as if its a massive injury..

as I said..things can change quickly..feds pushing 32, rafa has dodgy knees..murray has a dodgy back,

you cant project into the future too much.

 

[Front242]

Murray will be fine, Nadal has made the final of practically every tournament since his return so I think the dodgy knee (the right one is fine) talk is a bit much at this stage, Fed's still playing well for his age and has a legit shot at reaching the final here. Del Potro will always be dangerous when he plays near his best and will often be a potential spoiler but I honestly can't see him winning another slam at this stage even if it's very early to predict. More so than shoulder injuries, wrist injuries are a total curse for tennis players and will keep coming back. The reason his DTL BH has been awol pretty much since 2009 is the initial bust right wrist. Now with a dodgy left wrist it doesn't bode too well.

 

[Moxie]

Del Potro will always be dangerous when he plays near his best and will often be a potential spoiler but I honestly can't see him winning another slam at this stage even if it's very early to predict. More so than shoulder injuries, wrist injuries are a total curse for tennis players and will keep coming back. The reason his DTL BH has been awol pretty much since 2009 is the initial bust right wrist. Now with a dodgy left wrist it doesn't bode too well.

You could be right, Front. I've wondered the same thing. I also think he hasn't often matched his 2009-level mentally since the long injury lay-off, which he admits was hard on him, emotionally. The guy has had some rotten luck, for sure.

 

[Front242]

Yeah it's a shame, Moxie. I really hate seeing players with so much potential have their careers ruined by injuries. You can see it in his face in matches, he just looks like he knows maybe his time has come and gone because of injuries. Real shame. Hope I'm wrong and he does make it back to near his best but I have major doubts he will.

 

[Moxie]

Well, he's still young, and I'm going to hold out some hope that his luck changes, and he can still fulfill some of his best potential. Though I do get discouraged having my own suspicions confirmed by so many posters whose opinions I value.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Murray will be fine, Nadal has made the final of practically every tournament since his return so I think the dodgy knee (the right one is fine) talk is a bit much at this stage, Fed's still playing well for his age and has a legit shot at reaching the final here. Del Potro will always be dangerous when he plays near his best and will often be a potential spoiler but I honestly can't see him winning another slam at this stage even if it's very early to predict. More so than shoulder injuries, wrist injuries are a total curse for tennis players and will keep coming back. The reason his DTL BH has been awol pretty much since 2009 is the initial bust right wrist. Now with a dodgy left wrist it doesn't bode too well.

you downplay nadal and murrays injuries..but do the reverse with del potro, hmmm..whatever.

 

[Front242]

Murray will be fine, Nadal has made the final of practically every tournament since his return so I think the dodgy knee (the right one is fine) talk is a bit much at this stage, Fed's still playing well for his age and has a legit shot at reaching the final here. Del Potro will always be dangerous when he plays near his best and will often be a potential spoiler but I honestly can't see him winning another slam at this stage even if it's very early to predict. More so than shoulder injuries, wrist injuries are a total curse for tennis players and will keep coming back. The reason his DTL BH has been awol pretty much since 2009 is the initial bust right wrist. Now with a dodgy left wrist it doesn't bode too well.

you downplay nadal and murrays injuries..but do the reverse with del potro, hmmm..whatever.

Yes because back pain comes and goes but how the hell does one fully play tennis without fully functioning wrists ? I bust my left wrist around 2 years ago stupidly doing too many sets of forearm curls with heavy weights and frankly it's never been the same since. Physio, rubber band for strengthening exercises, etc and still now lifting heavy dumbells I feel it's not like it was before. So I can only imagine what it's like for a tennis player. Why else would Del Potro decide to pretty much never hit his DTL BH which was a very potent weapon for him in 2009 before he hurt his right wrist and required surgery?

Nadal is back playing and has residual pain as they all have, Murray's back pain comes and goes. Everyone has back pain at some point in their lives. But the key here is Del Potro needed surgery so which do you think is the more significant injury?

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Murray will be fine, Nadal has made the final of practically every tournament since his return so I think the dodgy knee (the right one is fine) talk is a bit much at this stage, Fed's still playing well for his age and has a legit shot at reaching the final here. Del Potro will always be dangerous when he plays near his best and will often be a potential spoiler but I honestly can't see him winning another slam at this stage even if it's very early to predict. More so than shoulder injuries, wrist injuries are a total curse for tennis players and will keep coming back. The reason his DTL BH has been awol pretty much since 2009 is the initial bust right wrist. Now with a dodgy left wrist it doesn't bode too well.

murray has a trapped nerve via bulging discs..how the hell is he going to play top level tennis with that..he tried rest before its getting worse..he is missing a major, what next ? surgery.

nadal ?..have you ever had major knee injuries..i have and so has nadal..you dont get back to 100% so you can forget about bloody that, he has missed loads of majors through his weak knees and they won't be the same again..expect a decline after the clay swing as his knee problems become amplified, as his decayed mobility on his backhand reach becomes more exposed.

del potro has a fever. the others have major problems.

you downplay nadal and murrays injuries..but do the reverse with del potro, hmmm..whatever.

Yes because back pain comes and goes but how the hell does one fully play tennis without fully functioning wrists ? I bust my left wrist around 2 years ago stupidly doing too many sets of forearm curls with heavy weights and frankly it's never been the same since. Physio, rubber band for strengthening exercises, etc and still now lifting heavy dumbells I feel it's not like it was before. So I can only imagine what it's like for a tennis player. Why else would Del Potro decide to pretty much never hit his DTL BH which was a very potent weapon for him in 2009 before he hurt his right wrist and required surgery?

Nadal is back playing and has residual pain as they all have, Murray's back pain comes and goes. Everyone has back pain at some point in their lives. But the key here is Del Potro needed surgery so which do you think is the more significant injury?

 

[Front242]

Very much doubt Murray is getting any back surgery and as for Nadal if you don't think his results since his comeback are impressive I dunno what more to say. You know the irony, you're saying it'll get worse for Nadal after clay. Well, hardcourt is what he hates the most and guess what, he won the first hardcourt tournament he played in over a year so I think it's safe to say it's not half as bad as you or many others are making out. Andy's missing his weakest slam. A good move towards recovery but I see no reason why he won't be back to 100% for Queens and Wimbledon and that of course is why he pulled out of RG. He was practicing straight away after withdrawing so I find it pretty unlikely he's gonna be having any surgery.

For every shot Del Potro hits it aggravates his wrist and seeing as he now also has a sore left wrist it affects his BH as well as FH. I'd say that's a way worse scenario than back pain that most definitely will go away and will not be operated on. Yes the fever forced Del Potro out 'cos he couldn't train properly. The discussion here though wasn't about a fever but the more worrying wrist injuries he's sustained naturally enough. Fed and many others play with mild back pain and even he took a break to heal his back and it's fine now so why you've no faith in Murray's recovery I've no idea. Neither of them needed surgery. Del Potro did and was out almost a year and hasn't been the same since. He's now got a sore left wrist that hampers him even more. I'd say that 100% definitely makes him in a worse position than Nadal or Murray right now and in terms of how their respective careers will pan out. You can play tennis with a bit of pain that means your movement isn't 100% but how are you supposed to play when your wrists are both dodgy? Looking at the big picture Del Potro is most definitely in a worse state in terms of how his wrists will affect his career at this stage.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

Very much doubt Murray is getting any back surgery and as for Nadal if you don't think his results since his comeback are impressive I dunno what more to say. You know the irony, you're saying it'll get worse for Nadal after clay. Well, hardcourt is what he hates the most and guess what, he won the first hardcourt tournament he played in over a year so I think it's safe to say it's not half as bad as you or many others are making out. Andy's missing his weakest slam. A good move towards recovery but I see no reason why he won't be back to 100% for Queens and Wimbledon and that of course is why he pulled out of RG. He was practicing straight away after withdrawing so I find it pretty unlikely he's gonna be having any surgery.

For every shot Del Potro hits it aggravates his wrist and seeing as he now also has a sore left wrist it affects his BH as well as FH. I'd say that's a way worse scenario than back pain that most definitely will go away and will not be operated on. Yes the fever forced Del Potro out 'cos he couldn't train properly. The discussion here though wasn't about a fever but the more worrying wrist injuries he's sustained naturally enough. Fed and many others play with mild back pain and even he took a break to heal his back and it's fine now so why you've no faith in Murray's recovery I've no idea. Neither of them needed surgery. Del Potro did and was out almost a year and hasn't been the same since. He's now got a sore left wrist that hampers him even more. I'd say that 100% definitely makes him in a worse position than Nadal or Murray right now and in terms of how their respective careers will pan out. You can play tennis with a bit of pain that means your movement isn't 100% but how are you supposed to play when you wrists are both dodgy?

I have not got faith on murray :laydownlaughing..nice one, have a go at me why not old bean, you have a problem with reality and the truth...

murray may have to have surgery if the an 18 month problem wont disperse as he said he is bored of playing in various levels of pain and having pain killing injections..HE will hopefully pop up at Wimbledon ok, but even if he does an 18 month cronic back problem requiring rest, injections probably wont go away.

this del potro bashing spree isn't healthy either..he said his recent injury isn't a big deal.

also learn to read..i didn't say nadals results were not impressive, they are.

 

[Front242]

There's no need to downplay anything at all about Nadal since he's done so well since his comeback. What has Del Potro done lately? Last good match I saw from him was in the WTF or Basel. Yes, this fever or whatever he has now isn't a big deal but the left wrist most certainly is. His right one has already been operated on and since then he no longer has the same bite in his FH and he's recently been having pain in his left also which is why you don't see him going for DTL BH shots even when the court is wide open as it likely hurts him to move it that way. And that is most definitely the difference between winning and losing against the top players. He hasn't hit the DTL shot much at all since 2009 so clearly he's not the same player he was back then. Murray's had a back problem for 18 months but yet he won the US open last year so it's clearly nothing that bad that it requires surgery and I repeat, he'll be fine and when he returns he'll be able to play his usual game, unlike Del Potro who no longer has the same ferocious FH and now can't even hit his DTL BH without hurting his left wrist. Sorry but it's a no brainer who's in the worse position here.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

HELLO...this is reality calling..:huh: now isn't last September for a start, don't live in the past baby and then use it to project into the future.

and for another start, andys back problem is worse than before..although maybe he should consult you, as you seem to have x-ray eyes that can 'see' andys inflamed nerves and distbured discs and more knowledge than the consultants he has been seeing in London..and he has had 2nd and 3rd opinions on it.

 

[Front242]

Would he have been out practicing so soon if it's as bad as you're making out? I very much doubt it. So I repeat he'll be fine and so far has had no surgery. As long as he continues to have no surgery he'll always be in a better position than Del Potro or anyone who has had surgery. With the rare exception of Tommy Haas who seems to have had a very successful resurgence since his latest surgery, who can you say has really been the same player since surgery? Nalbandian? Think he'll be the same after 2 hip replacements and shoulder surgery? Nah. Hewitt? Bilateral hip surgeries and big toe surgeries. Nah. Gonzalez had to retire. Ferrero had to retire. Gonzo and Ferrero would likely have played on if their bodies weren't so bashed up. We'll see over the coming months but I still very much doubt Murray will have any back surgery.

Edit: You can add Tsonga to the list of successful comebacks after surgery (knee) too but generally in pro sports many players are not the same as before the surgery.