The 3 phases of del Potro's career?

Chicharito

Hall of Fame
He has 2 solid careers already. How good could the third phase be?

2008-2009

Grand Slam
1 Win
2 SF
4 QF
Best Results
AO- QF
RG SF
W- R2
US- W

Ranking
Peak:4
2008 YE: #9
2009: #5

7 ATP titles (1 slam, 3 500s, 3 250s)
10 finals in total
Masters: 1 Final
YEC: 2 Appearances (1 Final)
17 top 10 wins
Davis Cup: 2008 Runner Up

2011-13

Grand Slam
1 SF
4 QFs
Best Results
AO-QF
RG-QF
W-SF
US-QF

Ranking
Peak:4
2011: #11
2012: #7
2013: #5

10 ATP titles (5 500s, 5 250s)
14 Finals
Masters: 2 Finals
YEC: 2 appearances (1 SF)
17 top 10 wins
Olympics:Bronze
Davis Cup : Runner Up 2011

2016-
1 Slam QF
1 ATP title
2 ATP finals
6 top 10 wins
Olympics Silver
Davis Cup Winner


What will his career high rank be this time?
 
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Fedeonic

Hall of Fame
Third time lucky for him to win Davis Cup? Luckily for him, there's no Nalbandian to manipulate Delpo and the team at his own will like the other two times.
 

Chicharito

Hall of Fame
6 Top 10 wins this year

Wawrinka at Wimbledon
Nadal and Djokovic at the Olympics
Thiem at the US Open
Murray and Cilic in Davis Cup

All on the big stage, shame he got so little ranking points for them. Plent of glory though and that is what really matters.
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
He may top 3, but his ceiling is limited, especially on high bouncing courts.

His main problem may be just be condition and playing many Bo5 in a row.
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
why high bouncing courts? his strike zone is pretty high up, no?
High bouncing courts require court coverage over a larger distance. It's easier to generate pace on a higher ball, it's easier to create angles and you often play a bit further behind the baseline. All reasons why Del Potro has more trouble defending his backhand, which a way bigger disadvantage than the benefit of teeing off on forehands. It also neutralizes any aggression of his backhand side, as passing is easier so slicing approaches won't work very well and taking the ball earlier on the backhand also gets harder.

Del Potro's whole dynamic revolves around neutralizing with the backhand and teeing off on forehands. His forehand is so good and reliable he doesn't need them to be the perfect heights, and lower bounce allows him to hit them more inside the court. The dynamic largely depends on Delpo's game, unless you decide to S&V or netrush to his backhand. There's a safe side to hit to, which gives players with the right tools a decent chance to beat Del Potro if they execute well. That would all change if Delpo would hit through the backhand again but I haven't seen great improvements over the year, and I doubt it will happen. If the backhand doesn't get better, Delpo will be prone to be broken down on his backhand side or at least be forced to play longer rallies and matches than he wants in the early and middle stages of slams. His best chance at winning a Grand Slam is really the Australian Open in my opinion.
 

Chanwan

G.O.A.T.
High bouncing courts require court coverage over a larger distance. It's easier to generate pace on a higher ball, it's easier to create angles and you often play a bit further behind the baseline. All reasons why Del Potro has more trouble defending his backhand, which a way bigger disadvantage than the benefit of teeing off on forehands. It also neutralizes any aggression of his backhand side, as passing is easier so slicing approaches won't work very well and taking the ball earlier on the backhand also gets harder.

Del Potro's whole dynamic revolves around neutralizing with the backhand and teeing off on forehands. His forehand is so good and reliable he doesn't need them to be the perfect heights, and lower bounce allows him to hit them more inside the court. The dynamic largely depends on Delpo's game, unless you decide to S&V or netrush to his backhand. There's a safe side to hit to, which gives players with the right tools a decent chance to beat Del Potro if they execute well. That would all change if Delpo would hit through the backhand again but I haven't seen great improvements over the year, and I doubt it will happen. If the backhand doesn't get better, Delpo will be prone to be broken down on his backhand side or at least be forced to play longer rallies and matches than he wants in the early and middle stages of slams. His best chance at winning a Grand Slam is really the Australian Open in my opinion.
Thanks for a serious and elequent response. I was under the impression that the ball bounce in Australia ain't particular low? To me, history at an event matters too. I would personally say his best chance is another US Open. And possibly Wimbledon before the AO. The FO-ship has probably sailed unless he gets a backhand again.
 
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