NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic hailed Juan Martin del Potro as a “gentle giant” but said he will have no hesitation in attempting to cut his close friend down to size in Sunday’s US Open final.
Djokovic, the 2011 and 2015 champion, will be looking to complete the Wimbledon-US Open double for a third time when he tackles the 2009 winner in New York with a 14th major and a place among the game’s greats within touching distance.
And he will start the heavy favorite, boasting a 14-4 record over the Argentine who will be playing in just his second Grand Slam final.
But whatever the outcome on Sunday, Djokovic insists their personal bond will remain strong.
“He’s a gentle giant,” the 31-year-old Serb said of the 6’6” Del Potro affectionately dubbed the “Tower of Tandil,” after his home town.
“He really is. He’s very tall, has a big game, but at the same time he nurtures the right values in life. He cares about his family. He cares about his friends. He respects everyone.
“He fights every match from the first to the last point. I think people can relate to that and appreciate what he brings to the tennis. He treats others the way he wants others to treat him. I think that’s why people love him.”
While Djokovic can pull level with Pete Sampras on 14 majors — and move to within three of Rafael Nadal and six back from Roger Federer — Del Potro’s career at the Slams has been torpedoed by a series of wrist injuries.
A number of surgeries pushed him to the brink of retirement in 2015 when his world ranking slumped to 581 in the world. Now he goes into Sunday’s final at a career-high three.
Djokovic has never lost to Del Potro at a Grand Slam, winning twice at the US Open in 2007 and 2012, Roland Garros in 2011 and an epic five-set semifinal at Wimbledon in 2013.
But Djokovic will not under-estimate the 29-year-old who was two sets to love ahead of Nadal in the semifinals on Friday when the world number one retired with a knee injury.
“We have never played in the final of a Grand Slam and he’s playing the tennis of his life, without a doubt, in the last 15 months,” said the Serb.
Meanwhile, Nadal — whose injury meant Del Potro made it to the final — has vowed to come back from his Flushing Meadows heartbreak.
“I know what I have,” he said after limping off Arthur Ashe Stadium having lost two sets to third-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro. “I know what is going on with the knee. I know how I have to work to be better as soon as possible.”
“All my career everybody said that because of my style, I will have a short career,” he noted. “I’m still here.
“I’m still here because I love what I am doing. I still have the passion for the game.
“I’m going to keep fighting and working hard to keep enjoying this tour and keep having chances to compete at the highest level. So that’s all.”
Novak Djokovic aims to cut ‘gentle giant’ Juan Martin Del Potro down to size in US Open final
Novak Djokovic aims to cut ‘gentle giant’ Juan Martin Del Potro down to size in US Open final
Al-Rajhi sets fastest time in Hail Baja prologue
- Prologue covered a total distance of 35 kilometres, including a 6-kilometre timed special stage
- Yazeed Al-Rajhi claimed first place, in the cars category, after setting the fastest time of 3 minutes 57 seconds and 1 millisecond
HAIL, Saudi Arabia: The Baja Hail Toyota International Rally 2026 began on Thursday with the running of the prologue stage in the Mushar area, marking the official start of competition in the Hail region. The rally is organised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the Hail Region Emirate and the Hail Region Development Authority. Jameel Motorsport is the official partner, alongside the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
The prologue covered a total distance of 35 kilometres, including a 6-kilometre timed special stage. It attracted a strong international field, with several competitors arriving in Hail shortly after the conclusion of the Dakar Rally earlier this month. The event also serves as the opening round of multiple international and regional championships, including the FIA World Baja Cup, FIA Middle East Baja Cup, FIM World Baja Cup and FIM Asia Baja Cup, as well as the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship.
A total of 152 drivers and navigators, including 73 Saudis, are competing across 93 vehicles in six categories: Ultimate, Stock, Challenger, Side-by-Side, motorcycles and quad bikes.
In the cars category, Yazeed Al-Rajhi claimed first place after setting the fastest time of 3 minutes 57 seconds and 1 millisecond. Sawood Variawa followed in second, 8 seconds behind, while Nasser Al-Attiyah completed the top three, a further 19 seconds adrift.
In the Bikes category, Alex McInnes took top honours with a time of 4 minutes 45 seconds and 4 milliseconds. Haitham Al-Tuwwayjiri finished second, 12 seconds back, with Abdallah Abuaisheh securing third place, 17 seconds off the lead.
The National category of the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship was led by Faris Al-Shammari, who topped the classification after completing the prologue in 4 minutes 50 seconds and 1 millisecond. Ahmad Al-Shammari placed second, 2 seconds behind, followed by Majed Al-Shammari in third, 5 seconds off the lead.
Under rally regulations, the top 10 competitors in the prologue earn the right to select their starting positions for Stage One, with priority determined by their final classification in the prologue.
During the press conference that preceded the Prologue stage, the competitors have expressed their readiness for the challenge. Xx said:
Stage One of the Baja Hail Toyota International Rally 2026 takes place on Friday, Jan. 30, starting from the Baqaa area and covering a total distance of 414 kilometres, including 242 kilometres of timed special stages. The rally concludes on Saturday, Jan 31, with the second and final stage from the same area over 323 kilometres, including 151 kilometres against the clock.
