Juan Martin del Potro dreams of joining Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal in London but Milos Raonic misses out :-: Metro
Juan Martin del Potro is still dreaming of joining the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, although he admitted it would be ‘difficult’.
Johanna Konta splits from coach after just 10 months
The Argentine enjoyed a good run to the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters – where he was beaten by Federer – and he still has an outside shot of qualifying for the event at the O2.
Nadal and Federer will be joined by Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, while Marin Cilic and Grigor Dimitrov are near certainties to compete.
David Goffin and Pablo Carreno Busta currently fill the final two spots but Sam Querrey, Kevin Anderson, Tomas Berdych, Nick Kyrgios, Roberto Bautista Agut and John Isner are among the players who still have a chance of making it.
World No. 19 Del Potro would most likely need to impress in Stockholm, Basel and Paris to have a shot and the 29-year-old insists he’s not targeting a place there, although it would be a ‘dream’.
‘I am not closer to qualifying and I don’t think about it, but it would be a dream to be in that tournament,’ he said.
I have not been playing there for five or six years due to injuries and this year I think it’s difficult.’
While the ATP Finals may be tough to reach, the Argentine is looking forward to enjoying a full season in 2018 and hopes to continue his climb up the rankings.
‘I will have the chance to rise even more in the rankings,’ he added.
This year I didn’t play in Australia, I skipped almost the whole clay season and I lost in the first round at Wimbledon.
‘But these are long-term goals, now I only want to end the season well and be ready to have a good pre-season.’
One man who won’t be competing in London, is last year’s semi-finalist Milos Raonic.
The Canadian has suffered an injury-hit year and he has decided to call time on 2017 after suffering yet another set-back in Tokyo.
More: Tennis
Del Potro also played down fears of the wrist problem he suffered in Shanghai ahead of his semi-final with Roger Federer being serious as he looks to defend his title in Stockholm.
‘Thank God, the wrist is doing well. I had a bad fall, but it wasn’t dangerous. In the last days I took a rest, today I trained hard and I am doing well, without any kind of pain.
‘I will give my best on court because I feel at 100% and I want to defend my title won last year.’
MORE: Roger Federer opens up on when he’ll retire from tennis
