It was a very eventful summer, to say the least.  Andy Murray spent the majority of it looking like the best player in the world with his title runs at Wimbledon and the US Open while Stan Wawrinka reminded everyone what a big-match player he can be by winning his first US Open title and third major overall.  But it may be a man who did not win a title, Juan Martin Del Potro, who is perhaps the best story of the summer. 

Fans have always known that Del Potro is a world-class talent.  It was evident when he defeated Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on the way to winning his sole slam singles title at the 2009 US Open.  It was on display again in 2011 when he rebounded from an injury-plagued 2010 to rise to a career-high ranking of Number 4 and was named the ATP Comeback Player of the Year.  He went on to enjoy a couple more successful seasons before the wrist injuries and subsequent layoffs became more frequent, resulting in a finish outside of the Top 100 in 2014 and 2015.  After a delayed start to his 2016, there undoubtedly had to be some questions regarding not only if he could be a relative force in the game again, but whether or not he would even be able to play the sport again.

If the last month-and-a-half are any indication, then the answer to both of those questions would be in the affirmative.  In Rio, he shocked Novak Djokovic in the opening round, defeated Nadal in the semifinals in what was easily one of the best matches of the year, and pushed Murray in a tough four-setter before ultimately settling for the silver medal.  He backed that up with a quarterfinal showing at the US Open and got the key victory over Andy Murray in last weekend's Davis Cup tie to help put Argentina back in the final.

Garnering the impressive victories is huge for Del Potro from a psychological standpoint.  It serves as confirmation that he is still capable of defeating anyone in tennis and illustrates that fact to the rest of the field as well.  But the way he is earning those victories is equally impressive and even more important.  His wrist issues will likely prevent him from ever playing exactly the same brand of tennis that won him the 2009 US Open, but it is evident that he is now comfortable with the adjustments and concessions he has had to make as a result, particularly from the backhand wing.  He uses his slice much more effectively but also recognizes when he has the opportunities to sparingly hit over his backhand.  It compliments his imposing forehand weapon well. 

In addition to how effective his game has once again become, he must be pleased with the way it has held up in the face of long and difficult matches.  After his semifinal win over Nadal in Rio, many questioned if he had enough in the tank to make it a competitive affair against Murray, but he managed to make life difficult for the Scot.  He then turned the tables on Murray, outlasting the current Number 2 in an epic five-set encounter in the opening rubber of the Davis Cup tie last weekend to give Argentina what would prove to be a decisive victory to ensure they moved through to the final.  That he was able to pull off that feat against one of the fittest guys on tour is surely a positive sign.

Is it a sign that he is definitely here to stay, though?  Fans saw him come back from a disappointing 2010 for a period of time before his career was nearly ended by multiple wrist injuries.  Will this time be any different?  The last couple of months has been encouraging.  He has adopted a style of play that will better protect his wrists, and he has found that he can be quite effective with it.  With any luck, that combination will ensure that Del Potro is back in the game for the long haul.