Amid scandals involving top players such as Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, tennis needs underdogs to emerge as fan favorites to replace the likes of Juan Martin del Potro and Dominic Thiem.
In many ways, del Potro was the People’s Champion, a beloved underdog taking on the Big Four of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Even though del Potro beat Nadal and Federer to win the 2009 US Open, he never won another slam. He was the only slam winner outside of the Big Four between 2005 and 2013 — an incredible string of 35 tournaments.
Dominic Thiem, another underdog in the Big Four era, won 17 titles (including the US Open in 2020) and finished second at the 2018 and 2019 French Opens, 2020 Australian Open, and 2019 and 2020 ATP Finals. He also inspired fans with his heavy groundstrokes, spectacular one-handed backhand, vicious kick serve, and humble demeanor.
As Federer, Nadal and Murray have faded into retirement, and Djokovic grapples with injuries, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have emerged as the betting favorites at most tournaments. Though they are often challenged by Alexander Zverev, Danil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud, among others, there is currently no “super underdog” like del Potro or Thiem to inspire fans around the world.
Fans often got behind del Potro because he had to overcome obstacles such as wrist injuries and surgeries that sidelined him for most of 2010, 2014 and 2015. But he still returned to the top 10 and beat Djokovic to win bronze at Wimbledon in the 2012 London Olympics.
In 2013, he beat Murray and Djokovic at Indian Wells before losing the final to Nadal. He won Rotterdam, Washington and Tokyo, and also beat Federer to win the Swiss Indoors. He reached number 5 in the world, thrilling fans who love his warmth, smile and thunderous forehand.
(https://grandslammagazine.com/2013/10/08/juan-martin-del-potro-the-king-of-cool/)
But his wrist problems and surgeries stole that thunder. Many thought he’d never return to top levels of tennis.
When he returned, often gaining wild card entries into tournaments, he had little power on his backhand, opting to slice it until he could go for winners on his forehand side. His victory over Thiem in Madrid (see photos) rekindled hopes of his return to dominance. He pulled out of Roland Garros, but beat Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon before losing to Lucas Pouille in the 3rd round.
Bad luck seemed to follow him to the Rio Olympics. He was stuck in an elevator for 40 minutes, just hours before his first round match versus Djokovic. But he stunned the tennis world by toppling Djokovic 7-6, 7-6 in one of the best matches of the year. Scenes of del Potro and Djokovic hugging at the net and leaving the court in tears will long live in Olympic lore.
Thiem, meanwhile, earned his nickname “the Prince of Clay” by beating Nadal and Djokovic during their reign on that surface. Thiem beat Nadal four times on clay and twice on hardcourt, notching a 6-10 record overall against Nadal. His 5-hour loss to Nadal at the 2018 US Open was among the most epic matches ever in New York; Thiem got revenge by beating Rafa at the 2020 Australian Open in three tie-breakers before losing the final to Djokovic in five sets. Thiem also achieved a record of 5 wins, 7 losses against Djokovic, the greatest player in tennis history, and beat Djokovic at the French Open in 2017 and 2019. Thiem also enjoyed a 5-2 record against Federer.
Del Potro and Thiem both proved that there’s more to sports than just victories and championships. They captured the hearts of people wherever they played. Del Potro wore his soul and passion for all to see, and he was beautiful to watch. Thiem was a humble slugger who punched far above his weight until his career was also ended by injuries. The entire tennis world misses them. Tennis needs players like them more than ever.
(words and images copyright Christopher Johnson, all rights reserved)
The heavenly light of Aranxta Sanchez shines on Juan Martin del Potro and Dominic Thiem at the Mutua Madrid Open.
(all images copyright Christopher Johnson, Globalite Media, all rights reserved)
Grand Slam Magazine 