When I got the chance to interview Juan Martin del Potro earlier this year, I couldn’t resist asking him about his on-court antics. For such a relatively reserved media personality, his silly jokes during the most serious matches have endeared him to tennis fans (and those who make GIFs!).
He smiled when I asked him about it.
“Maybe I’m a little crazy,” he said. “I shouldn’t do that. My coach doesn’t like when I do that, but I like to play with the crowd, also. They are there for many hours watching our match, they are excited all the time. I like to show them we’re normal person, not only a tennis player. We feel like them. If I have the chance to do something different, I’ll do it.”
Leave this page up in your browser for a while to load some of Delpo’s best moments in GIF form.
*****
Unhappy reactions to losing points:
Making sure a linesperson can see properly:
Getting comfort from a linesperson:
Taking a picture between points:
Hitting ridiculous forehands:
Oh the hugs:
Trademark celebration:
Celebrating after a big win:
Giving a thumbs up after falling down:
Making a horrible Hawk-Eye challenge:
Rescuing a moth:
Terrifying a photographer:
Rallying the crowd:
Jumping over the net:
‘rallying the crowd’ is simply the best ever. I love that one so so much.
These are amazing, thanks for sharing! Delpo puts a smile on my face every time.
Nice one, Amy. I so want to see that running forehand in person!
Awesome. You just need to find a video of him doing his famous birds photo-shoot***, and a gif of him hugging Fed in the Olympics loss for a complete set.
*** i.imgur.com/loYy2kO.jpg