Watch: Del Potro Feels Exhaustion, Frustation and Gratitude

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Watch: Del Potro Feels Exhaustion, Frustation and Gratitude

Juan Martin del Potro experienced mixed emotions after completing his first Wimbledon appearance in three years.

The 2009 US Open champion felt elation upsetting fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka in round two, frustration he converted just two of 12 break-point opportunities in his 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-1, third-round loss to 32nd-seeded Lucas Pouille today, exhaustion from the physicality of play and gratitude that he's been able to compete at the Grand Slam level after four wrist surgeries.

Watch: Pouille's Serve Tags Lineswoman

"I'm so glad to have the chance to play tennis again. I want to be better in the future," del Potro said. "But I know it's a very long road to get better and get 100%. One match for me means I have to prepare like mentally, physically, doing my treatments on the wrist like one month, you know. I feel like that.

"And after the match I got exhausted in every match. I don't have many times, too much time to recover between matches after Wawrinka. But anyways, Pouille is a great player. He's 30 player in the world, and I'm not losing against no one, you know."

Though del Potro and Pouille argued a bit after a disputed line-call yesterday, they settled their differences and engaged in a respectful handshake today.

Pouille's tactic of attacking del Potro's backhand and forcing the 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist to hit passing shots with his weaker backhand wing paid major dividends: He won 47 of 68 trips to net in rallying from a one-set, 1-4 deficit.

"I got tensions. I was nervous, as well," del Potro said. "Normally, three years ago, I could close the match in three sets. But now, what I said before, it's a different sensations for me, different present for me. And maybe if I'm still playing matches against the top guys and these things when I got the chance, I will close the match as I did few years ago. But you never know.

"Anyways, he was really smart in all the times, and he had lucky in the second‑set tiebreak. Then he took the opportunity to win. He deserved the victory."

In the aftermath of Grigor Dimitrov announcing he's split from coach Franco Davin, who was del Potro's coach during the most successful period of his career, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist was asked if he will reunite with Davin.

Del Potro, who has been working with Dani Vallverdu, Andy Murray's former coach, said he has no plans to reunite with Davin.

"No, I just started to work with Dani a few weeks ago," del Potro said. "I say to you before the tournament, I wish all the best to Franco, to Grigor. They are great persons, and both are very good professionals. They deserve to be better in the future, together or separate. But I wish all the best."

Photo credit: Stephen White/Camera Sport

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