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Gentle Giant

“Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” Book Author Sebastian Torok Wins Prestigious ATP Ron Bookman Media Excellent Award

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Sebastian Torok, journalist for LA NACION and the author of the book “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” has been named the winner of the 2022 Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award.

“Receiving this award really honours me and fills me with happiness and enthusiasm to continue telling stories in the future,” Torok said to the ATP. “I lived intense moments during more than 15 years of coverage of the international tennis circuit and it is a privilege to have known new countries and cultures.”

Torok has been a journalist for the Argentine newspaper LA NACION since 2000. He has covered football, rugby, boxing and handball but focuses mainly on tennis, reporting on Argentina’s Davis Cup Finals title run in 2016, which is also detailed in his “Gentle Giant” book.

Torok has been a radio columnist and, since 2018, has been a commentator on ESPN Latin America. The Argentine received international recognition at the AIPS Sport Media Awards for various investigations and one of his career highlights as a journalist was interviewing Roger Federer in Basel in 2019.

Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” for sale and download here via amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_lRArEbY4VMWP3 tells the story of one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players and the most important of his generation. After winning the 2009 U.S. Open, defeating Roger Federer in a glorious five-set final, del Potro was poised to take over the tennis world. However, wrist problems developed and del Potro endured three surgeries over 15 months. One of the world’s most popular players, del Potro’s fan base grew as he made his comeback—watching him win his second Olympic medal in Rio in 2016, where he once lost to Andy Murray, but won the hearts of millions around the world. He followed up by leading Argentina to victory in the Davis Cup. Described as the “Gentle Giant,” del Potro has the sensitivity to comfort a ball girl hit during a match, to stop in the middle of the game to gaze at a butterfly, and to accompany a young fan in the last days of his life. However, when he grips the racket, he becomes one of the most destructive strikers of a tennis ball.

“This book is an unprecedented trip to the emotional and sporting aspect of one of the best tennis players of the last decade,” said Torok, the author of the book, an internationally regarded tennis writer for La Nacion and with ESPN in Argentina. “Juan Martin del Potro is someone who lived with tragedy since his childhood, a tennis player who hit bottom and had the strength to persevere multiple times. This book was created with more than 70 interviews of people who, in one way or another, had to do with the life of del Potro. I am very excited and proud that this book is now available in English around the world.”

The Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award is named for Ron Bookman, an early pioneer in tennis public relations. As described in the “Pioneers of the Game” book, Bookman was the first tennis PR person for the WCT Tour in 1967, an editor at World Tennis magazine from 1971 to 1980 and a former ATP Director of Communications. He also served as the ATP Joint Secretary of the Men’s Tennis Council, Acting Executive Director and ATP Deputy Executive Director before his untimely death at age 46 in a bicycle accident.

Executive Director in 1986-1988 until his untimely accidental death in 1988.

Juan Martin del Potro Falls In Comeback Match And Likely Career Finale

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Juan Martin del Potro  was defeated in what is likely his final career match in front of home fans and family at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires Tuesday night..

The 33-year-old del Potro, who had not played since 2019 due to injuries to his knee, was defeated by his former Argentine Davis Cup teammate Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-3.

“This is the moment I hoped would never come,” he said on Saturday in his pre-event press conference. “I don’t have the strength to go ahead. I gave it all.”

Del Potro has had multiple wrist and knee surgeries in the past decade. He once was ranked as high as No. 3 in the world and won the 2009 U.S. Open. He also won Olympic silver at the Rio Olympics and Olympic bronze at the London Olympics. Following his loss, he draped his headband over the net and hugged his mom Patricia, who watched him play in person for the first time.

In his post-match press conference, del Potro said he would leave himself open a bit to a return to tennis if a “miracle” happens and he is able to be without pain. However, he said he needs to not make tennis a priority and try to first live without pain in his knee.

Before his knee injury, del Potro suffered from a serious of wrist injuries. However, as documented in the biography of del Potro “The Gentle Giant” by Argentine reporter Sebastian Torok, (for sale and download here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_0F64H1Z1BXN7WJE5P6E0 the “Tower of Tandil” as he was also called, persisted and was able to return to the No. 3 ranking, the U.S. Open final and win Olympic silver in Rio in 2016.

Juan Martin del Potro Announces Likely Retirement In Buenos Aries

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Juan Martin del Potro has revealed that the Argentina Open could mark his farewell from tennis as he attempts to come back from a devastating knee injury.

The 33-year-old former world, No. 3 will return from almost three years on the sidelines when he meets fellow Argentine and former Davis CUp teammate Federico Delbonis in the first round of the ATP 250 event on Tuesday in Buenos Aires.

“I have been feeling it and imagining it for a long time and it may be more of a farewell than a return,” an emotional Del Potro told a news conference on Saturday. “I have been putting in a big effort to make progress and the knee has been turning my life into a nightmare.”

The 2009 US Open champion has not played competitively since June 2019, when he suffered a fractured right patella for the second time in nine months during the Queen’s ATP 500 tournament in London.

He has since undergone four operations, the most recent of which took place in Chicago last March.

“I never imagined a possible retirement from tennis that wasn’t while playing on a court and I couldn’t find a better tournament than the one in Buenos Aires to do it,” he said.

“These next few weeks we will see what happens with my future. I can’t wait to get on the court on Tuesday to relive what I’ve done for my whole life. I love this sport and I will be trying to win until the last point.” 

Del Potro’s life, career and persistence through his injury-ridden career is documented in the book “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” by Sebastian Torok here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_ETMHMM5ZVPJ5MP142Y07 via Amazon,com

Juan Martin del Potro

The Bond Between Juan Martin del Potro and Manu Ginobili

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Juan Martin del Potro is one of the greatest athletes of all time from Argentina. Naturally, he would have relationships with many other top Argentine sports stars. In this excerpt from the book by Sebastian Torok “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” (for sale and download here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_WM8TG0EC6JHBSMRT086P via @amazon) Torok writes of the special bond that del Potro has with NBA basketball great Manu Ginobili.

The other one is someone who del Potro shared moments that he isn’t going to forget. Emanuel Ginobili is someone with whom he shares mutual admiration. Ginobili is an example and guide for del Potro, who professes the same respect towards him, the same respect that the entire Argentine sports community have towards the best basketball player in the history of the country. Ginobili enjoyed an extraordinary career that permitted him to shine in European basketball, in the NBA and as a greater star at the Olympic Games who achieved the ultimate on August 28, 2004. Winning the Olympic gold medal in basketball is something that is almost impossible to achieve unless you are the United States, who have only failed in this quest only three times in the history of the Olympics. The first came at the Munich Olympics in 1972 by the hands of the Soviet Union; the second, when the best teams from around the world were absent from the

boycotted Moscow Olympics of 1980; the third being performed as a work of art from that a group of amazing Argentine players in Athens in 2004.
Ginobili and del Potro shared many glories, including a memorable walk in the Opening Ceremonies of the London Olympics in 2012 and many talks during the 2016 Rio Games. The 2016 Olympics were important for both as it was the Olympic swan song for Ginobili, highlighted by a tremendous Argentinian victory against Brazil, and for del Potro, winning the unexpected silver medal with wins over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Manu follows del Potro’s career closely and would watch his matches on television from San Antonio, where he played for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.

“I got very excited seeing him and the rest of the team win the Davis Cup and also watching him at the Olympic Games in Rio,” said Ginobili. “I know he went through some difficult times because of his wrist injury, when he was going bad and it generated lots of doubts and uncertainties. Seeing him later playing the way he did and enjoying the moment, I loved it. It gave me great joy. With him we didn’t see each other so many times but we shared lots of time at two Olympic Games and a few meals in Miami when I would go visit Florida and he was there. We had a great time. We shared experiences and talked a little about everything. He’s a very nice guy and his two-year fight with that injury made me value his great 2016 a lot more and get super happy.”

Ginobili is a winner of four NBA Championship rings in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, all with the Spurs where he formed a magic trio with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. He is also one of the best ambassadors ever for Argentina. Comparing him and other national sports heroes with del Potro, he said, is something that is not appropriate.

“I think it’s unnecessary to want to rank everything, making lists and that stuff,” said Ginobili. “He gave a Davis Cup for the first time to this country and won two Olympic medals. How can you compare that to someone who does a team sport, one that drove cars or whatever? I don’t see it necessary. He is a monster and we should feel proud of how he is, how he plays and how he represents us apart from enjoying him on the court.”

“Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” tells the story of one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players and the most important of his generation. After winning the 2009 U.S. Open, defeating Roger Federer in a glorious five-set final, del Potro was poised to take over the tennis world. However, wrist problems developed and del Potro endured three surgeries over 15 months. One of the world’s most popular players, del Potro’s fan base grew as he made his comeback—watching him win his second Olympic medal in Rio in 2016, where he once lost to Andy Murray, but won the hearts of millions around the world. He followed up by leading Argentina to victory in the Davis Cup. Described as the “Gentle Giant,” del Potro has the sensitivity to comfort a ball girl hit during a match, to stop in the middle of the game to gaze at a butterfly, and to accompany a young fan in the last days of his life. However, when he grips the racket, he becomes one of the most destructive strikers of a tennis ball.

“This book is an unprecedented trip to the emotional and sporting aspect of one of the best tennis players of the last decade,” said Torok, the author of the book, an internationally regarded tennis writer for La Nacion and with ESPN in Argentina. “Juan Martin del Potro is someone who lived with tragedy since his childhood, a tennis player who hit bottom and had the strength to persevere multiple times. This book was created with more than 70 interviews of people who, in one way or another, had to do with the life of del Potro. I am very excited and proud that this book is now available in English around the world.”

The original version of the book was published in Spanish under the title “El Milagro Del Potro.” The English language book was translated by Luis Rossi of Argentina and Haley Hunt of Brookline, Mass.

Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is also the publisher of “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All-Time” by Steve Flink, “The Education of a Tennis Player” by Rod Laver with Bud Collins, “The Secrets of Spanish Tennis” by Chris Lewit, “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins, “The Pros: The Forgotten Era Of Tennis” by Peter Underwood, “The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” by Sidney Wood, “Titanic: The Tennis Story” by Lindsay Gibbs, “Macci Magic: Extracting Greatness From Yourself And Others” by Rick Macci with Jim Martz, “Andy Murray, Wimbledon Champion: The Full Extraordinary Story” by Mark Hodgkinson, “Cattle To Courts: A History of Tennis In Texas” by Ken McAllister, “Sport of a Lifetime: Enduring Personal Stories From Tennis” by Judy Aydelott, “Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California” by S. Mark Young, “Absolute Tennis: The Best And Next Way To Play The Game” by Marty Smith, “How To Permanently Erase Negative Self Talk So You Can Be Extraordinary” by Emily Filloramo, “Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” by Cliff Richey and Hilaire Richey Kallendorf, “Your Playbook For Beating Depression: Essential Strategies For Managing and Living with Depression” by Cliff Richey and Mary Garrison, “Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” by Rene Stauffer, “The Days of Roger Federer” by Randy Walker, “Jan Kodes: A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” by Jan Kodes with Peter Kolar, “Tennis Made Easy” by Kelly Gunterman, “On This Day In Tennis History” by Randy Walker, “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” by Tony Serksnis, “Court Confidential: Inside The World Of Tennis” by Neil Harman, “A Backhanded Gift” by Marshall Jon Fisher, “Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli (www.Boycott1980.com), “Internet Dating 101: It’s Complicated, But It Doesn’t Have To Be” by Laura Schreffler, “How To Sell Your Screenplay” by Carl Sautter, “Bone Appetit: Gourmet Cooking For Your Dog” by Suzan Anson, “The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle” by Stewart Wolpin among others.

Juan Martin and Manu Ginobili have a bond that is detailed in the book “The Gentle Giant” by Sebastian Torok

Juan Martin del Potro To Return To The U.S. Open

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by Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Juan Martín del Potro will return to the US Open!

On Tuesday, September 7, sixteen days before his 33rd birthday, del Potro will return to the Grand Slam tournament that he won in 2009 as he continues to attempt to return to pro tennis after multiple knee surgeries, reports Argentine journalist Sebastian Torok, also the author of the biography of del Potro called “The Gentle Giant.”

Del Potro, who has not competed since June of 2019 since he injured his right knee on the grass courts at the Queen’s Club tournament in Britain, is attempting to add fuel to his inspiration to return to pro tennis by attending the U.S. Open and has practice sessions scheduled with John McEnroe.

“Juan Martin thought it was a good way to show himself in public, to energize himself with the atmosphere of the U.S. Open as he recovers,” said Torok. “He has a very good relationship with McEnroe.”

Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York was the site of del Potro’s greatest triumph when he defeated Roger Federer in a five-set final to win his only major singles title to date. The Argentine also reached the singles final in 2018, losing to Novak Djokovic, which was the last time del Potro played at the U.S. Open.

The book “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” by Torok is the first English-language book on Argentine tennis great.  For sale and download here via amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_lRArEbY4VMWP3 the book tells the story of one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players and the most important of his generation. After winning the 2009 U.S. Open, defeating Roger Federer in a glorious five-set final, del Potro was poised to take over the tennis world. However, wrist problems developed and del Potro endured three surgeries over 15 months. One of the world’s most popular players, del Potro’s fan base grew as he made his comeback—watching him win his second Olympic medal in Rio in 2016, where he once lost to Andy Murray, but won the hearts of millions around the world. He followed up by leading Argentina to victory in the Davis Cup. Described as the “Gentle Giant,” del Potro has the sensitivity to comfort a ball girl hit during a match, to stop in the middle of the game to gaze at a butterfly, and to accompany a young fan in the last days of his life. However, when he grips the racket, he becomes one of the most destructive strikers of a tennis ball.

“This book is an unprecedented trip to the emotional and sporting aspect of one of the best tennis players of the last decade,” said Torok, the author of the book, an internationally regarded tennis writer for La Nacion and with ESPN in Argentina. “Juan Martin del Potro is someone who lived with tragedy since his childhood, a tennis player who hit bottom and had the strength to persevere multiple times. This book was created with more than 70 interviews of people who, in one way or another, had to do with the life of del Potro. I am very excited and proud that this book is now available in English around the world.”

The original version of the book was published in Spanish under the title “El Milagro Del Potro.” The English language book was translated by Luis Rossi and Haley Hunt.

The book is published by New Chapter Press. Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is also the publisher of “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All-Time” by Steve Flink, “The Education of a Tennis Player” by Rod Laver with Bud Collins, “The Secrets of Spanish Tennis” by Chris Lewit, “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins, “The Pros: The Forgotten Era Of Tennis” by Peter Underwood, “The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” by Sidney Wood, “Titanic: The Tennis Story” by Lindsay Gibbs, “Macci Magic: Extracting Greatness From Yourself And Others” by Rick Macci with Jim Martz, “Andy Murray, Wimbledon Champion: The Full Extraordinary Story” by Mark Hodgkinson among many others.

Juan Martin del Potro "The Gentle Giant"
Juan Martin del Potro “The Gentle Giant”

Maradona’s Special Bond With Juan Martin del Potro

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Diego Maradona, one of the greatest Argentine athletes who led his nation to victory in the World Cup in 1986, passed away Wednesday at age of 60. In his wild life, the magnetic personality was often seen at Argentina’s Davis Cup matches and forged a close friendship with fellow sporting legend Juan Martin del Potro.

Leading Argentine sports journalist Sebastian Torok wrote of the connection and relationship between Maradona and del Potro in his new book “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant,” published by New Chapter Press, for sale and download here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_V5UVFbM15A2ZJ?_x_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The excerpt from the book the details the relationship, from the chapter called “Word from the Ten” below:

 

In the 1980s, the high point of joy for sports fans in Argentina was the World Cup victory by the light blue and white. It was the peak moment for the “No. 1 fan” in the stands cheering for Argentina in the Davis Cup final in Zagreb. Maradona is the name forever linked to the day June 29, 1986, where in Aztec Stadium in Mexico City he dazzled the world and achieved his dream that day and gave Argentina its second World Cup title. Whimsically that day of the final against West Germany did not correspond with his most notable performance of that World Cup campaign. That came against England in the quarterfinals where he scored two famous goals, including the famous “Hand of God” goal.

Passionate about tennis and sometimes controversial, Maradona inevitably is there each time Argentina plays in a big Davis Cup match and has privileged access to the privacy of del Potro in those moments of high concentration where only a few can command his attention.

The journeys of the Argentina Davis Cup team took Maradona to the Zagreb Arena in anticipation that something big could happen in the Davis Cup Final against Croatia. He was there with a broken heart hearing the news of the death of Fidel Castro, the Cuban leader whom he created a relationship with based on mutual admiration.

“When I heard the news it was like receiving a serve of del Potro in the chest,” said Maradona. When he was asked for an impression on del Potro for this book, the man with did the magic with his left hand and the No. 10 on his back preferred to turn it into a letter, entitled “Del Potro was Maradona against the English.”

“You could say that Martin, because I call him Martin, won my heart the day he won the Davis Cup. But no, man, no… That day he won the heart of all the Argentinians. He won mine when my loved parents passed away, Mrs. Tota and Don Diego, and he was there, present, to accompany me.

“How was I not going to accompany him to Croatia? I would go to the end of the world to cheer for him! For him and the entire Argentinian team. It was the bravest stop, the one to try and win the Davis Cup for the first time in history, as a visitor, against all odds… With everything against us is how I like it! That’s why I wanted to be there…

“Many people called me a jinx. Others said I just wanted the visibility and be the center of attention, but the only thing I wanted was to cheer, for all the Argentinians to be supporting them, behind him. The only thing I cared about was being in the grandstands. I didn’t even go to the hotel, until they called me. The skinny guy, who is longer than the Eiffel Tower, laughed when he saw me arrive. A phenomenon.

“In that final match, Delpo gave us a lesson to all the athletes and all the Argentinians: If we fight, we can do it. He knew better than anyone that it was a rough spot, but not impossible. What he did was something crazy…Being in a place like this, in a moment like this, it’s touching the sky with your hands. I lived that in Mexico in 1986. Martin lived it in Croatia.

“The skinny guy, that day, reached the hearts of the Argentinians, without a doubt. It was like a boiler, I swear. That’s how the Davis Cup matches are: lots of heat, lots of battles, adrenaline and screams… A steaming hot boiler. And del Potro turned it off with two big eggs like the rock of Tandil. He had to take and to bring everyone, he had a great responsibility. He was the one who had to take the flag and did it the best way. He beat everyone with hammers. Let it be very clear to all Argentinians, what Delpo was throwing weren’t balls, they were hammers! He wanted to destroy the ball each time he hit it. And I swear I was hitting with him.

“That’s why, when he invited me to go down to the locker room, when they were already champions and he told me to choose whatever I wanted to take back home as a gift, I choose the racket, because that racket was the weapon he used to win, but I also asked to kiss his hand. Because that hand made us lift the Cup.

“The skinny guy, Martin, Delpo, call him what you want, became a great master that we needed for a long time. He was Maradona against the English. That’s why I am going to be grateful for the rest of my life. For making me, making us, so very very happy. And to remember me when I needed it the most.”

Diego Maradona with Juan Martin del Potro
Diego Maradona with Juan Martin del Potro

“Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” Book By Sebastian Torok Published By New Chapter Press

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New Chapter Press, the world’s premier publisher of tennis books, today announced the launch of its latest book, “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” the “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant,” the first English-language book on Argentine tennis great Juan Martin del Potro written by respected tennis writer Sebastian Torok.

“Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” for sale and download here via amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_lRArEbY4VMWP3 tells the story of one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players and the most important of his generation. After winning the 2009 U.S. Open, defeating Roger Federer in a glorious five-set final, del Potro was poised to take over the tennis world. However, wrist problems developed and del Potro endured three surgeries over 15 months. One of the world’s most popular players, del Potro’s fan base grew as he made his comeback—watching him win his second Olympic medal in Rio in 2016, where he once lost to Andy Murray, but won the hearts of millions around the world. He followed up by leading Argentina to victory in the Davis Cup. Described as the “Gentle Giant,” del Potro has the sensitivity to comfort a ball girl hit during a match, to stop in the middle of the game to gaze at a butterfly, and to accompany a young fan in the last days of his life. However, when he grips the racket, he becomes one of the most destructive strikers of a tennis ball.

“This book is an unprecedented trip to the emotional and sporting aspect of one of the best tennis players of the last decade,” said Torok, the author of the book, an internationally regarded tennis writer for La Nacion and with ESPN in Argentina. “Juan Martin del Potro is someone who lived with tragedy since his childhood, a tennis player who hit bottom and had the strength to persevere multiple times. This book was created with more than 70 interviews of people who, in one way or another, had to do with the life of del Potro. I am very excited and proud that this book is now available in English around the world.”

The original version of the book was published in Spanish under the title “El Milagro Del Potro.” The English language book was translated by Luis Rossi and Haley Hunt.

Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is also the publisher of “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All-Time” by Steve Flink, “The Education of a Tennis Player” by Rod Laver with Bud Collins, “The Secrets of Spanish Tennis” by Chris Lewit, “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins, “The Pros: The Forgotten Era Of Tennis” by Peter Underwood, “The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” by Sidney Wood, “Titanic: The Tennis Story” by Lindsay Gibbs, “Macci Magic: Extracting Greatness From Yourself And Others” by Rick Macci with Jim Martz, “Andy Murray, Wimbledon Champion: The Full Extraordinary Story” by Mark Hodgkinson, “Cattle To Courts: A History of Tennis In Texas” by Ken McAllister, “Sport of a Lifetime: Enduring Personal Stories From Tennis” by Judy Aydelott, “Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California” by S. Mark Young, “Absolute Tennis: The Best And Next Way To Play The Game” by Marty Smith, “How To Permanently Erase Negative Self Talk So You Can Be Extraordinary” by Emily Filloramo, “Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” by Cliff Richey and Hilaire Richey Kallendorf, “Your Playbook For Beating Depression: Essential Strategies For Managing and Living with Depression” by Cliff Richey and Mary Garrison, “Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” by Rene Stauffer, “The Days of Roger Federer” by Randy Walker, “Jan Kodes: A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” by Jan Kodes with Peter Kolar, “Tennis Made Easy” by Kelly Gunterman, “On This Day In Tennis History” by Randy Walker, “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” by Tony Serksnis, “Court Confidential: Inside The World Of Tennis” by Neil Harman, “A Backhanded Gift” by Marshall Jon Fisher, “Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli (www.Boycott1980.com), “Internet Dating 101: It’s Complicated, But It Doesn’t Have To Be” by Laura Schreffler, “How To Sell Your Screenplay” by Carl Sautter, “Bone Appetit: Gourmet Cooking For Your Dog” by Suzan Anson, “The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle” by Stewart Wolpin among others.

 

Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant
Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant

Juan Martin del Potro Career Remains In Serious Doubt After Delray Beach Open Withdrawal

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The tennis career of Juan Martin del Potro continues to be showered in doubt as it was announced that the 2009 U.S. Open champion has withdrawn from the 2020 Delray Beach Open in Florida.

Del Potro has not played a match since he fractured his kneecap at the grass-court event in Queens last June in London. The previous October, he also fractured his kneecap at the 2018 Shanghai Masters, after a celebrated return to tennis after suffering multiple wrist surgeries by winning the 2016 Olympic silver medal and the Davis Cup for his native Argentina and reaching the final of the U.S. Open in 2018.

“Our positive thoughts are with Juan Martin as he continues his recovery,” said Mark Baron, Tournament Director for the Delray Beach Open. “We look forward to many years of seeing him play healthy tennis in Delray Beach.”

There are doubts among many Argentine sports journalists on if del Potro will ever be able to play again as his condition and status remain very secretive.

While del Potro will not be playing in the near future it seems, del Potro fans can sit get some sort of a fix on this Argentine sporting legend via a new English-language book that is due out in February “The Gentle Giant” by Sebastien Torok of the Argentine newspaper La Nacion. The book, that is available for sale now here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_zpHkEb6DBDBXH, tells the story of one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players, the most important of his generation. After winning the 2009 U.S. Open, defeating Roger Federer in a glorious five-set final, del Potro was poised to take over the tennis world. However, wrist problems developed and del Potro endured three surgeries over fifteen months. One of the world’s most popular players, del Potro’s fan base grew as he made his comeback—watching him win his second Olympic medal in Rio in 2016, where he once lost to Andy Murray, but won the hearts of millions around the world. He followed up by leading Argentina to victory in the Davis Cup. Described as the “Gentle Giant,” del Potro has the sensitivity to comfort a ball girl hit during a match, to stop in the middle of the game to gaze at a butterfly, and to accompany a young fan in the last days of his life. However, when he grips the racket, he becomes one of the most destructive strikers of a tennis ball.

Delray Beach’s complete singles acceptance list includes the following ATP Tour stars: Radu Albot (MDA), Damir Dzumhur (BIH), Kyle Edmund (GBR), Taylor Fritz (USA), Ugo Humbert (FRA), Steve Johnson (USA), Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB), Soonwoo Kwon (KOR), Nick Kyrgios (AUS), Adrian Mannarino (FRA), Mackenzie McDonald (USA), John Millman (AUS), Kei Nishikori (JPN), Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN), Reilly Opelka (USA), Tommy Paul (USA), Milos Raonic (CAN), Tennys Sandgren (USA), Andreas Seppi (ITA), Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER), Jordan Thompson (AUS), Frances Tiafoe (USA), and Yasutaka Uchiyama (JPN).

The 10-day tournament will open Valentine’s Day weekend with the ATP Champions Tour team event and a special exhibition match starring local teen tennis star Coco Gauff. The Team Europe vs Team World match-up will showcase tennis legends David Ferrer, James Blake, Tommy Haas, Marcos Baghdatis and other fan-favorites.

Individual tickets for all sessions are on sale now and start as low as $30. See the full lineup of offers, parties, special events, food and beverage options and more at YellowTennisBall.com or call 561-330-6000.

Juan Martin del Potro - The Gentle Giant
Juan Martin del Potro – The Gentle Giant