Seeded sixth at the 2009 US Open, the then 20 year old del Potro defeated the world number one Nadal of Spain in the New York semifinals 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 before stocking Federer in the final 3-6, 7-6(7-5), 4-6, 7-6(7-4), 6-2. The breathtaking upset was Federer’s first New York loss since 2003.

“Since [I was] young, I dream with this and take trophy with me,” said del Potro, who became the first Argentine male to win the US Open since Guillermo Vilas in 1977. “I did my dream, and it’s unbelievable moment. It's amazing match, amazing people. Everything is perfect.”

“I thought he hung in there and gave himself chances and, in the end, was the better man,” Federer of Switzerland said.

Del Potro, who turned professional in 2005, only competed at the Australian Open in January this year before undergoing a corrective wrist surgery in May.

Currently ranked 34th, the Argentine reached his highest career ATP Tour singles ranking in January of this year at number four.

In 2008, he became the first player in ATP history to win his first four career titles in as many tournaments.

Del Potro prefers an offensive baseline game complimented by powerful serves. And despite his height, del Potro is one of the best movers on the ATP Tour.

“I’m happy to be able to tell you: I’m going to play again!” del Potro wrote Wednesday on Twitter. “It will be at the Bangkok tournament next Monday.”