After missing the 2010 event to recover from wrist surgery, 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro returns to the place where he won his sole major with a win over Filippo Volandri.
"I am feeling very special these couple of days, because I wasn't here last year so I couldn't see my name in the locker room, you know, and many things... pretty little details," said del Potro, who won the title in 2009. "This year to be playing the U.S. Open, it's amazing, it's great, and I'm feeling really glad to see the crowd again, to see the Argentinian fans come to see me specially play here in the U.S. Open. I'm really exciting to keep improving my game, to keep winning here. Yeah, to be honest, I feel like the final was yesterday, because when I was walking around the street or when I talk with the fans, they say, I remember your final; you can repeat; you can win again."
But the Argentine is playing down his chances this year, saying he is still on his way back from wrist troubles. "Hopefully next year I will be ready for play in same conditions as the Top 10 players. I don't know if I gonna be there, but I will try," he said. "I know that other players are playing much better than me at this moment, especially the Top 10 players. But...to be here playing this tournament, for me it's a great signal for my future. I know I'm getting closer to my best level, and that's important."