"My toughest opponent was my body": Del Potro draws comparisons between himself and Alcaraz winning Grand Slams at 20

Carlos Alcaraz became number one at 19 beating Casper Ruud in the US Open final and it was similar to how Juan Martin Del Potro won his maiden grand slam.

The Argentine also won it at the US Open back in 2009 when he defeated Roger Federer in the final. It was a sensational win and one that sort of hinted at a great career for Del Potro. It proved true yet it didn't quite live up to what many thought would happen and injuries were to blame. The Argentine had very poor luck with injuries and he reflected on that in recent injuries admitting to feeling angry about it:

“I live with two sensations. I have anger, I feel annoyed, and I wonder why. And then it happens the other way around and I think: 'why not me?'. I am ordinary: there are many athletes who suffer."

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Del Potro on Alcaraz

There are some similarities between Alcaraz and Del Potro and the Argentine talked about the Spaniard in the same interview. He reflected on his struggle with cramps that were mostly mental. He admitted to feeling pressure while Del Potro explained that nerves didn't bother him against the best. His biggest problem was his body:

"(Carlos) Alcaraz got cramped after playing two sets with Djokovic and he is 20 years old; At the age of 20, I won the US Open final against Federer. I never had a problem beating the best: my problem was healing my wrist. If it hurts to hit the backhand with top, okay, I play with slice, I don't use my hand. My toughest opponent was my body. I wasn't afraid to play against the best."

Ultimately both proved humans struggling with different things. Injuries are far tougher to overcome leaving Del Potro wondering what if.

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