FEDERER BACKS DEL POTRO

Roger Federer has said that Juan Martin Del Potro is capable of becoming the no.1 player in the world. Federer gave this statement after being defeated by Del Potro in his first exhibition match on the tour of South America. Federer lost the match by 6-3, 3-6, 4-6. This was the 18^th match between these two players and Del Potro has won 5 of them.

This was Del Potro’s third consecutive victory over Federer. Before this, Del Potro had defeated Federer in Swiss Indoors Basel final and ATP World Tour Finals this year.

Federer looked quite impressed with the recent form of Del Potro. In the post match interview, he said, “Del Potro is a fantastic player. He is one of the best in the business and he has the ability to reach the top of the rankings. He is no. 7 at the moment, but, if he works hard and maintains consistency, he will win many more titles.”

Del Potro has defeated Federer in some big matches. The Argentinean had won his first Grand Slam title by defeating Federer in the final of the US Open in 2009. That was a marathon final in which Federer was defeated by 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-7(4), 2-6. But, in the following year, Del Potro injured his wrist because of which he had to miss a lot of matches in the 2010 season and thus, he got down in the world rankings.

While talking to the reporters, Federer also said that he would like to be involved in tennis even after his retirement, most probably as a coach. Federer said, “I have a lot of interest in coaching and most probably I would like to be a coach after retirement.”

Federer will play another exhibition match against Del Potro and then, he will go to Colombia to play against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday.