Juan Martin del Potro has become the patron saint of tennis comebacks.
The 2009 US Open champion has endured four wrist surgeries in a spirited comeback in which he returned to the US Open final last month and rose to a career-high rank of No. 3.
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Asked his advice to others on the comeback trail, del Potro says don't give up.
"My advice to the young players or the player who has injuries, try to keep trying," del Potro said. "Every day is a new opportunity to try. You have to pray, you have to meet fate with goals every day. In the end of the way, you will find the solution."
The top seed at this week's China Open in Beijing, del Potro will face Albert Ramos-Vinolas with the winner advancing to a second-round clash with Karen Khachanov.
The 30-year-old Argentine said his passion for tennis strengthened his persistence to return to the sport following a bout of depression during his injury-induced sabbatical.
"I think first of all you have to love what you do, then you have to find very, very deep of your body the strength to deal with the pain, to deal with injuries," del Potro said. "I think I had lucky because I found a good doctor who fixed my wrist after three surgeries.
"I also was really depressed during couple of months. I was at home with my family, with my friends, many other peoples who wants to keep watching me playing tennis. That was very important support for myself. I think because of them, I never give up during that time.
"Now I'm here living could be the best moments ever on my career. They are so happy to watch me playing tennis again. I'm dealing with all my wrist problems, but in the end I'm playing tennis again, and that's what I love."
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