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Juan Martin del Potro arrives home in Argentina - Source: Reuters -
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It had been 10 months since I had last seen Juan Martin Del Potro.
He had come to the 2009 Heineken Open in Auckland as world number nine - having won four consecutive tournaments in 2008 and touted as the next big prospect in tennis.
The Argentine did not disappoint, winning the tournament without dropping a set and impressing everyone with his class and style off and on the court.
Since then he has progressed to the top five in the world, banked another $US3.5 million and shocked everyone by defeating Roger Federer in five sets to take the US Open.
Back in January, at the homely Heineken Open Del Potro would often wander through the ASB tennis centre alone, or just with his coach as he went to get lunch or begin practice.
Press conferences would be with seven, perhaps eight journalists and even the post final session featured probably twenty media.
As you might expect the ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai is a very different proposition.
Del Potro is tournament royalty and he is flanked by a dozen black suited security guards upon arrival at Qizhong sports arena
That doesn't stop hundreds of fans running after the posse, in a vain attempt to grab a photo or autograph with the 21-year-old superstar.
After a practice session in front of a few hundred cheering spectators he is ushered into a preview press conference.
There were inevitable questions about the reception back in his small hometown of Tandil, in Argentina, after his Flushing Meadows victory.
He described feeling "like a president" as he addressed the whole city at a civic reception in his honour.
In Auckland the softly spoken Del Potro had come across as quiet, modest, almost shy and quite self conscious about his English.
Ten months later he remains a softly spoken giant but another season of fending off all kinds of enquiries has seen a steady improvement in his English.
"After winning the Grand Slam, did you feel like you were a big star like Nadal or Federer?
"Well maybe in Argentina", he said to much laughter.
"But I have to win more Grand Slams to be similar to Rafa and Djokovic, maybe Roger. They are the biggest players. They are the superstars in this moment."
The local contingent outnumbered the international fraternity and they enthusiastically covered off all manner of questions.
He was asked about Argentina's prospects for the football World Cup (they had just beaten Peru).
"What is the strangest thing that has happened to you on this trip [in Asia]?"
"In every corner a lot of people are trying to cross the street and that's very unusual for me."
Another enquired about his favourite Chinese dish.
"I always eat Italian food, that's all.
"Everywhere?" our reporter said, looking a little bemused.
Del Potro was quick to try and make amends.
"But I like Chinese - I will try to eat China's food. But not before the match."
