Juan Martin del Potro is targeting grass court glory at the Aegon Championships in June after putting together a sensational run of results to reach the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last week.
The Argentine today joined the US Open champion Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych in committing to play at The Queen’s Club, 10th-16th June.
“I like to play on grass, and at the Aegon Championships you feel like you are at home,” said Del Potro. “They provide some great facilities for the players and it’s a very good tournament. Everything is made easy for the players - the locker-room is close to the courts, there is plenty of chance to practice on grass, and there are full crowds every day. It’s a really nice tournament.
Having won the Olympic bronze medal in emotional scenes at Wimbledon last year, London holds a special place in Del Potro’s heart.
“I have a fantastic memory from last year when I won the bronze medal at the Olympics,” he said. “It was a magnificent experience for me. I had never played at an Olympics before so it was a big moment for me and my country. To win on grass at Wimbledon as well made it an even bigger moment. I think that if I play my best tennis I have a chance to win a Grand Slam tournament on grass, but it will be very difficult.
Del Potro came from a set down to beat the US Open champion Andy Murray in the quarters, and the World No.1 Novak Djokovic in the semi’s to reach the Indian Wells final.
Chris Kermode, the Aegon Championships Tournament Director, is excited to welcome him back to The Queen’s Club.
“Juan Martin proved he is back to his very best by beating Murray and Djokovic back-to-back last week," said Kermode. "It is similar to what he did in 2009 when he won the US Open title in such spectacular style. The British crowds really took to him when he won bronze at the Olympics last year, and we are thrilled that he has decided to return to London for the Aegon Championships. We look forward to seeing him at The Queen’s Club in June.”
The Argentine also backed Murray go on to even greater things in the future.
“Murray is a big champion, he already won a Grand Slam, he made the finals in Australia and he has everything he needs to be at the top in the future,” said Del Potro. “He will be fighting for the No.1 place this year and he can take a big opportunity in the grass season.”
Murray is already scheduled to be in action on finals day. He will team up with Tim Henman to take part in Rally Against Cancer - an all-star doubles exhibition to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which supports The Royal Marsden, the world-leading cancer centre treating British tennis player Ross Hutchins. Make a donation here.
The 2013 Aegon Championships is one of four ATP & WTA grass court tournaments staged and run by the LTA in the run up to The Championships, Wimbledon, and will be the next opportunity for fans to see Murray in action on British soil.
The Aegon Championships will be broadcast live, every day from 10th-16th June, on BBC Television and Eurosport.