Watch: Del Potro On Big 4 Joy

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Juan Martin del Potro knows what it takes to stand toe-to-toe with tennis’ famed Big 4 and prevail.

Del Potro outdueled Roger Federer in a five-set thriller to capture the 2009 US Open.

Watch: 5 Players Who Can Break Up Big 4 Dominance

Last summer, the 6-foot-6 Argentine edged then world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and fifth-ranked Rafael Nadal at the Rio Olympic Games before bowing to Andy Murray in the gold-medal match.

While many view the Big 4 as dangerous, the three-time Washington, DC champion said he's delighted dueling iconic champions in tennis' golden age.

“I like to play with these guys,” del Potro told the media. “I think we made better tennis this era. I mean if Rafa, Roger, or Murray or Nole retires maybe I could be a number one one day but I’m so happy playing at the same time with them.

“And I’m learning everyday some things they come and teach us because they are making history every day in this sport. The guys are amazing to me. I’m so happy to be playing at the same time.”

The former world No. 4 has had four wrist surgeries in total—three on the left wrist and one on the right—which has prompted del Potro to set his schedule selectively and shrug off the typical rankings pressure most players feel.

“I don’t care about the ranking. I don’t care if I’m Top 30 or Top 50,” del Potro said. “I just want to play tennis again as I did in the past. I won very important things to me and to my country last year when we got the Davis Cup and I got the silver medal in Rio. For me, it could be enough to play without pressure now.

“I would like to be in the top position, for sure, one day in the future. But I know how difficult it is and I know how my body feels after a strong tournament. My wrist is still bothering me, sometimes, it depends on the condition of the weather. I’m still playing tennis. I love what I do. I’m so happy for that.”

Del Potro, who opens against Lukas Lacko at the Citi Open in DC tonight, said he’s uncertain about his fall schedule.

“If I feel good, I could go to Asia,” del Potro said. “If not, I could stop and nobody cares what I do. So I don’t have that pressure anymore and I can do my own schedule without thinking about it too much.”

Photo credit: Peter Staples/Citi Open Facebook

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