Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have dominated the sport of tennis for close to two decades. A number of players have tried their chance but the ‘Big 3’ remains rock solid even now. However, one player who has always been a close-call competitor for these three players is Juan Martin Del Potro. 

From Nadal’s 2005 French Open to Roger Federer’s 2012 Wimbledon, the ‘Big 3’ have won 29 of the 30 Grand Slams played. The one grand slam that slipped out of the hands of the ‘Big 3’ during this period was the 2009 US Open. Even though Federer entered the finals at the Flushing Meadows in 2009, it was Del Potro who took away the win, becoming the only man to break the domination. 

Even though Del Potro is on the lower side in H2H against all the three players, the Argentinian has always forced them to raise their game to stand against the mighty forehands of Del Potro. 

Del Potro beat Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open Final

Entering the US Open as the 6th seed, Del Potro dropped just 2 sets on his way to reach the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, he beat 3rd seed, Rafael Nadal, in straight sets. He went on to face the top seed and defending champion Roger Federer in the finals. Del Potro had never beaten Federer in their previous 6 meetings.

The first set of the finals saw Federer initiating his game plan from the very first point. The Swiss tried to keep the ball in the middle court, to avoid Del Potro going for any menacing angles. Even though Del Potro tried to go for some wild forehands, it was Federer who took the set 6-3. 

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The second set also started with Federer dominating the set with a 3-1 lead. However, the Argentine held his nerve to get back close to the Swiss and took the set to a tie-breaker. With his smashing forehand strokes on point, Del Potro took the set 7-6. 

1-set all, the 5-time US Open champion, Federer, made a roaring comeback to take the 3rd set 6-4. However, having nothing to lose, Del Potro gave his best shot to again equalize the score by winning the fourth set 7-6.

The 5th set started with Del Potro breaking Federer twice to take a 3-0 lead. Even though Federer tried his luck a couple of times, it was the Argentinian who cruised past the defending champion and took the 5th set 6-2. 

Juan Martin Del Potro won his first grand slam 3-6,7-6,4-6,7-6,6-2 beating 5 time US Open champion, Roger Federer. 

Juan Martin Del Potro announces sad news for fans

The 2009 US Open champion has been out of the tour since 2019 ATP 500 Queen’s Club where he faced a knee injury.

Also read- Juan Martin Del Potro Breaks Down in Tears as He Announces Retirement From Professional Tennis

Del Potro underwent multiple knee surgeries since then. The 6’6 tall Argentinian gave a disheartening news to his fans saying that the Argentina Open may be his last tournament.

He will face fellow countryman Federico Delbonis in the first round of the Argentina Open.