The United States Tennis Association announced the list of men players granted direct entry into the upcoming 2010 U.S. Open. Along with the expected names of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick, the biggest surprise was the listing of defending champion Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro, who is still out of action from the ATP Tour due to his recovery from wrist surgery, has said several times this spring he is not sure if will play the Grand Slam tournament in favor of a November return to the game. But recent events may have changed all that.
At the same time the USTA made its announcement, the PTT Thailand Open also announced its list of confirmed players which also included Del Potro, Nadal, Fernando Gonzalez and Ernests Gulbis. As part of the announcement, Del Potro said the following, “I am looking forward to playing the PTT Thailand Open on my return from injury. I really enjoyed myself on my last visit to Bangkok and hope for good results at this year’s tournament.” The Thailand Open will take place the last week of September but it may not be the first non-Slam event Del Potro returns to. Speculation continues that Del Potro, who is responding well to treatment for his wrist, may be healthy enough to take part in Argentina’s Davis Cup tie against France on the weekend of September 17th in Lyon.
As of now, Del Potro would have to officially withdraw from the U.S. Open if he doesn’t think his wrist is up to it. Considering he will not take part in any warm-up events leading up to the Slam makes this is a tough decision for him to make. And it might be one that the big man from Argentina could take up to the last minute to decide which will only add more interest in the build-up to the U.S. Open and probably cause some late night nail-biting for his many fans.
For more about the USTA announcement, click here.
For more about the PTT Thailand Open, click here.
Adjusting the Net 