Juan Martín del Potro: The Last Non-European to Win a Grand Slam by Defeating Roger Federer

Del Potro, remembered globally as the last non-European player to capture a Grand Slam singles crown after defeating Roger Federer at the 2009 US Open, was asked by the publication to place Ríos within the pantheon of South American greats alongside Guillermo Vilas and Gustavo Kuerten. Rather than choosing a rigid order, the Argentine star proposed expanding the conversation.

“We can make a podio of four so no one fights,” Del Potro said with a laugh, as reported by Emol. “The ‘Chino’ is an incredibly talented player, one of those you really enjoyed watching play. He was a lefty and did wonderful things. We always remember when he reached No. 1 in the world by winning in Miami, a tournament that back then was considered the fifth Grand Slam. ‘Chino’ has been one of the great figures of Latin American tennis.”

When the interviewer pressed the 2009 US Open champion on which milestone holds greater prestige—climbing to world No. 1 or hoisting a Grand Slam trophy—Del Potro declined to declare a definitive winner, framing the dilemma as a matter of personal perspective.

“I don’t know; you’d have to ask the fans,” Del Potro told Emol. “I think both are memorable, both are achievements that place you in the history of the sport, in the history of tennis. Some will say one thing and others another; it’s something very personal. I always dreamed of winning the US Open from a very young age and, unbelievable as it seems, the only Grand Slam I managed to win is precisely the US Open. That has an immense value for me.”

The conversation also turned to Guillermo Vilas, the pioneering Argentine star who officially reached No. 2 in the ATP rankings but has been the subject of statistical research arguing he should have occupied the top spot for several weeks during his career. Del Potro voiced strong support for retroactive recognition for his compatriot.

“For us Argentinians—and I think also for Latin Americans and South Americans—Vilas was the great reference,” Del Potro said, according to ADN Radio. “He is the one who left a mark on this sport, who inspired everyone else to start playing, and who made people fall in love with tennis. He played in an era when the sport enjoyed enormous prestige and there were many stars. I think it would be very beautiful and very deserved if that were recognized.”

Del Potro continues his media commitments covering the ongoing tournament action in New York, where his historic 2009 run remains the benchmark for South American success on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.