BUENOS AIRES, Sept. 11 -- Juan Martin del Potro has expressed gratitude to his US Open conquerer Novak Djokovic for the Serb's spontaneous show of compassion after Sunday's final in New York.
Moments after his 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic walked across to Del Petro's court-side chair and comforted the Argentine with a hug and words of encouragement.
Del Potro, who has overcome a series of career threatening injuries since winning the 2009 US Open - his only grand slam to date - revealed what Djokovic said to him upon his return to Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
"It was a very nice gesture," Del Potro told reporters. "At the time it wasn't easy for him to go to the [opponent's] side to say a few words. He told me that I was a great champion, that I should be proud.
"Those words fill me with happiness. At that time I was not happy but now I think about them and it was a very nice gesture."
The 29-year-old added: "It makes me happy and it gives me pride because Nole is also a friend on the circuit. When I was at my lowest point while sitting on that chair, he told me I should be happy and proud. He said that it was inspirational for him that I was there with him on that stage."