Interview – Juan Martin del Potro: ‘A natural connection between Roland

In what ways does this tournament stand out from others in Latin America, and how does it offer a unique Grand Slam experience for juniors?

Juan Martin del Potro: I believe that the experience of juniors playing in a Grand Slam - in this case Roland-Garros - is a unique opportunity that didn’t exist when I was a junior or up until very recently. It’s a great chance for them to have an experience very similar to what it is like to compete in Roland-Garros. Everything is very well organized, many people go to the event, it happens in Brazil, a country where they love tennis as well. I think it’s wonderful that they can have this opportunity, because we never had anything like it. As we have already seen, very good players come out of there and become professionals and that shows the level and the quality of the tournament.

As an ambassador since 2023, what inspired you to take on this role, and what continues to motivate your involvement each year?

It gives me much pride to be the ambassador of Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault, an event that is improving and growing over the years and establishing itself as a very important tournament on the agenda for all the junior players. So, it gives me pride but also many responsibilities to assume this role of an ambassador. I love sharing moments with the best juniors from Latin America and spending a week full of experiences. I try to help all the players so that they can feel professional for a few days while they can learn many things that I have had to live in my career.

Having served as an ambassador for four years, what changes and growth have you witnessed in the tournament’s size and overall impact since 2023?

I see that year after year the tournament is improving. The first edition was a new experience for everyone, and despite the unknowns, it proved to be a huge success, particularly with the participation of Joao Fonseca. Each year, the players show a very great level and after some time, we see them playing at a professional level. It’s truly a standout event, and without a doubt, it has become a key fixture where future world-class players emerge.

Who were your role models, and how did their presence influence your journey in tennis?

I followed Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt a lot. I think Lleyton had commitment and a very marked personality on the court, he was also very nice. And Marat had a style of play that made it look very easy. I grew up watching them and I liked Pete Sampras as well. Afterwards I played in this golden era of tennis and obviously they were rivals, but I also had much admiration for Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and for all my colleagues.

Why do you believe it’s important for young athletes to interact directly with world-class tennis icons during their development?

I think that Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault is a great opportunity to be close to all those young people, so that they can share their fears, their pressures and their doubts about how to continue their career and how to become professional. My role is to offer them reassurance and confidence, and to show that with hard work, anything is possible. So, I think it is a very intense week where I like to be able to give them all my teachings and experiences so that they can apply them tomorrow in their career.

Which qualities and values do you consider essential for young players aiming to become future Grand Slam contenders?

The values that the players must have, like anyone, is respect for the work, for their coaches, dedication to the effort, and to work hard. I think that serves you for a tennis career and for building your personal life. It seems to me that tennis qualities develop afterwards, with time, and they are very personal to each one. Without a doubt, there are many chances that things can turn out well with those values and that the kids can manage to become professionals.

Receiving a wild card to compete at Roland-Garros Juniors in Paris can bring significant pressure. What key advice would you offer to a young player stepping onto the red clay for the first time at this level?

This is a topic that is much discussed during the week, the pressure that the kids have because it is a unique opportunity to be able to play at Roland-Garros, to feel what it is to be there in Paris and so on. My advice is always that instead of taking it as pressure, they must take it with joy and as a great opportunity that they are fortunate to have. And while it is a great chance to be able to compete at a world level and play a Grand Slam and feel all that, if things do not turn out well, afterwards they are going to have many other opportunities.

You have been to Paris and Roland-Garros many times throughout your career. What makes this tournament special for you personally, and what do you remember most vividly about competing in Roland-Garros Juniors in 2004, especially during that historic moment for Argentine tennis?

For the history of Argentinian tennis, Roland-Garros was always very special. Obviously, the 2004 final was historic (Gaston Gaudio’s five-set victory over Guillermo Coria, ed.), and Guillermo Vilas delivered the trophy. I think that photo for our tennis is very emblematic. There has always been a natural connection between Roland-Garros and South America. There is a nice connection with Paris, the tournament is very beautiful, very elegant and the French public really understands tennis, which also makes it very nice.

What message would you like to share with Brazilian and Latin American fans who follow and support Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault?

My message for the fans from Brazil and Latin America is that they must come this year again to see the tournament because they are going to be surprised. It is like having an experience of being in Roland-Garros during a week but in Brazil. They are very dear to me, so I would like to share it with them. I have much respect for all my fans that made me feel at home at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (in 2016). I remember very beautiful things, and it is always a pleasure to be in the neighboring country, to be in Brazil and to things share with them.

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