On Monday evening, as millions watched Roger Federer’s final stroke sail out, Juan Martin Del Potro fell to the ground at the US Open in New York knowing that his life had changed forever. In a colossal five set 4 hour and 6 minute final, Del Potro seemingly did the impossible, defeating the 5 time defending champion, world #1, and greatest player of all time on Federer’s most dominant court. Almost instantaneously, the world learned of who Del Potro was. During his acceptance speech, the passion this the young man has about his tennis, family, and country was very clear.

Upon his arrival to Argentina Wednesday, Del Potro was greeted by fans and media at the airport and the celebration continued at a press conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina until Thursday afternoon where he made the 350 km journey to his hometown of Tandil, Argentina. He received a tremendous homecoming, including a parade through the city, an award from Tandil’s mayor and even a phone call from the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Del Potro was visibly emotional throughout the entire day as he passed people through the parade, who showered him with gifts and waved flags baring a picture of his face on the Argentinian flag. At his speech in Independence Square in Tandil, Del Potro told fans, “I hope this will be the beginning of something big for my career and for me as a person. The most important thing to me is achieving and all of you were at my side at that moment,” Del Potro continued, “That was more valuable than anything else and I really will never forget it and it will leave me with the same memory of the tournament I won.”

What’s next for Del Potro? “I want to be #1 in the world.” Anyone want to doubt him?

Supporters wave an Argentine national flags with a portrait of newly-crowned U.S. Open tennis champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina as they welcome him at his hometown of Tandil September 17, 2009. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Newly-crowned US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina waves to supporters as he arrives on a fire truck at his hometown of Tandil, September 17, 2009. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci