Take it slow, Delpo

This is what I found when I searched the internets for word of Juan Martin del Potro's current form. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

If all goes well in the Juan Martin del Potro camp, we'll likely see the 2009 U.S. Open champ returning to top form around May of 2011. He needn't sweat the small stuff in Thailand this week - it's far too early for that.

If you haven't heard, del Potro has entered the draw in Thailand, and will be playing his first matches since January. If he makes the quarters, he could face Rafael Nadal, but I don't want that to happen. I hope the two don't meet in Bangkok, and here's why:

The tall Argentine needs to build stamina, especially in the muscles around the surgically repaired wrist -- he's only capable of so much tennis. Competing against a juggernaut like Nadal could force him to push it too hard. That is the precise opposite of what del Potro needs to be doing in his first live play in 9 months.

Let's not hurl our heavy expectations on the man until he's had at least 20 matches under his belt, with plenty of rest in between.

The last thing tennis needs is this phenom over exerting himself against Rafael Nadal in his first week back on the tour. The worst possible outcome right now is another injury of the wrist -- I hope delpo and his team make this the biggest priority until 2011.

For these reasons, I am officially hoping that two of the most exciting players in tennis DO NOT MEET in Thailand.

What do you guys think?