Juan Martin del Potro denied three championship points dethroning defending champion Roger Federer for his first career Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells.

Del Potro is not only a champion player, he's a huge tennis fan.

Watch: Del Potro Dethrones Federer

The sixth-ranked Argentine grew up looking up to Lleyton Hewitt, who won three of their five career meetings.

Del Potro said tennis misses the effort, character and personalities of three former Grand Slam champions: Guga Kuerten, Marat Safin and Hewitt.



"Guga was a perfect example to mention. He made a big effort to do what he does, and he's a great person," del Potro told the media in Indian Wells. "Everybody loves Guga and everybody miss Guga on tour. I have a great relationship with him.

"I mean, Roger, as well. Everybody loves Roger, Rafa. These guys are making history in our sport.

"But in the other, as you mention, Guga, or maybe another, Lleyton or Marat Safin, these guys made to the crowd different feelings, you know. And I think we miss a little bit these kind of guys on tour."

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