Don't Cry For Him Argentina

Reuters

Y'all knew some variation of that title was coming. I can't always resist being cheesy. And since Juan Martín del Potro wants to buy a cheesecake for his birthday to celebrate his stunning victory over Roger Federer, it's appropriate.

(I'd sell him one of mine.)

Quick: What does the 20-year-old Argentinean have in common with Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal?

Among active players, they all prevailed in their first Grand Slam finals.

Impressive company.

And for del Potro, it's even more impressive considering that just 9 months ago, Raja routed him to the loss of three games and two bagel sets en route to the Melbourne finals.

Has a player ever showed such massive improvement within a single season?

And why is it that players whose mother tongue is Spanish are the only ones capable of defeating Raja in Slam finals?

Speaing of which, Dick(head) Enberg and his corporate masters over at CBS need to be sanctioned by us, the viewers, for giving the US Open 2009 men's singles champion a hard time for wanting to provide remarks in Spanish during the trophy ceremony.

I just saw a pretty, poised, blonde woman speak three languages in the women's trophy ceremony and she was the runner up.

This has been one bizarre US Open.

But del Potro's victory is exactly what tennis needs.

Raja has won many a major not playing his best tennis, but not this time. Del Potro becomes only the second Argentine to win the US Open and only the third player not named Federer or Nadal to win a Slam since Wimbledon 2004.

I feel as though the men's tour has just opened up. Here's hoping del Potro's victory paves the way for all that other potential to step up and make their own history.