NEWPORT, United States, October 20, 2026: Juan Martín del Potro has been nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027, giving the Argentine another opportunity to receive one of tennis’s highest honors after the man he famously defeated in the 2009 US Open final, Roger Federer, entered the Hall earlier this year. Del Potro joins three-time Grand Slam singles champion Ash Barty and four-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova on the Player Category ballot, while Japan’s Shingo Kunieda is nominated separately for his extraordinary achievements in wheelchair tennis.
The Hall of Fame confirmed the nominees on October 18, with public voting open through October 25. Del Potro and Kuznetsova return after appearing on the previous ballot, while Barty brings a career that included three Grand Slam singles championships and 121 weeks as world No. 1. Kunieda, a 28-time major singles champion and four-time Paralympic gold medalist, represents another standard of sustained international excellence. The nomination process now turns to voting, with none of the four guaranteed induction.
International Tennis Hall of Fame 2027: The Nominees at a Glance
| Nominee | Country | Category | Defining Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juan Martín del Potro | Argentina | Player | 2009 US Open champion, 22 ATP singles titles, 2016 Davis Cup champion, two Olympic singles medals |
| Ash Barty | Australia | Player | Three Grand Slam singles titles, world No. 1 for 121 weeks, 2018 US Open doubles champion |
| Svetlana Kuznetsova | Russia | Player | Four major titles across singles and doubles, 18 WTA singles titles, 16 doubles titles |
| Shingo Kunieda | Japan | Wheelchair Tennis | 28 Grand Slam singles titles, four Paralympic gold medals and an exceptional career in wheelchair tennis |
The International Tennis Hall of Fame’s official nomination announcement confirms the candidate categories, career achievements and public voting arrangements.
Juan Martín del Potro Gets Another Chance After Federer’s Hall of Fame Induction
Del Potro’s nomination presents one of the most compelling stories in this year’s selection process.
The Argentine established himself as one of the few players capable of defeating Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at their best.
His powerful forehand, imposing serve and ability to produce decisive attacking tennis earned him 22 ATP Tour singles titles and a career-high ranking of world No. 3.
Yet his career was repeatedly interrupted by serious injuries.
He underwent multiple wrist and knee procedures, and lengthy absences prevented him from sustaining the momentum that followed his greatest victories.
That combination makes his Hall of Fame case particularly interesting.
He won only one Grand Slam singles title, fewer than some other celebrated champions, but that achievement came during one of the most competitive periods in men’s tennis history.
He also helped Argentina secure its first Davis Cup title and won two Olympic singles medals.
The 2009 US Open Final That Changed Del Potro’s Career
Del Potro’s defining victory came in New York when he was just 20 years old.
Roger Federer arrived at the 2009 US Open seeking a sixth consecutive championship.
The Swiss superstar had won the previous five titles and built a remarkable 40-match winning streak at Flushing Meadows.
Del Potro reached the final after defeating Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the semifinals.
Against Federer, he recovered from trailing by two sets to one and won 3-6, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.
The victory ended Federer’s extraordinary New York dynasty and delivered Del Potro’s first and only Grand Slam singles championship.
It was also significant because Federer entered the match as one of the sport’s most dominant hard-court champions.
Breaking that winning sequence required Del Potro to survive extended periods of pressure and produce increasingly aggressive tennis as the final moved into its decisive stages.
The historical importance of the result is examined in The Sports Encounter’s feature on Federer’s five consecutive US Open titles and his eventual defeat to Del Potro.
Why One Grand Slam Title Does Not Tell the Whole Story
Grand Slam singles titles are among the most visible measures of an elite tennis career.
However, they do not fully explain the circumstances in which championships were won.
Del Potro reached his peak during the era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, whose combined success dramatically reduced the opportunities available to other players.
His 2009 victory proved that he could defeat two of those champions in consecutive matches at a major tournament.
He later returned to the US Open final in 2018, losing to Djokovic.
That second appearance demonstrated his ability to compete for the biggest titles even after years of physical setbacks.
His case illustrates why Hall of Fame evaluation must consider an athlete’s achievements in their competitive and historical context.
Del Potro’s Olympic Medals and Argentina’s Davis Cup Breakthrough Strengthen His Case
Del Potro’s career included major achievements representing Argentina.
At the London 2012 Olympics, he won the men’s singles bronze medal after defeating Djokovic in the medal match.
Four years later, he reached the Rio Olympic final before losing to Andy Murray, earning silver.
His 2016 season also included Argentina’s first Davis Cup championship.
During the final against Croatia, Del Potro recovered from two sets down to defeat Marin Cilic in five sets.
That victory helped keep Argentina’s hopes alive before Federico Delbonis secured the decisive point.
For Argentine tennis, the achievement carried exceptional national significance.
Del Potro’s contributions therefore extended beyond the ATP Tour and Grand Slam competitions.
He helped deliver major international results for a country with a proud tennis tradition.
Del Potro’s Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Historical Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Four ATP singles titles | Established himself among the sport’s leading young players |
| 2009 | US Open singles champion | Defeated Nadal and Federer in consecutive matches |
| 2012 | Olympic singles bronze | Defeated Djokovic in the medal match |
| 2016 | Olympic singles silver | Reached the Rio final against Andy Murray |
| 2016 | Davis Cup champion | Helped Argentina win its first title |
| 2018 | Indian Wells Masters champion | Defeated Federer in the final |
| 2018 | US Open runner-up | Returned to a major final after prolonged injury problems |
| 2018 | Career-high ranking of No. 3 | Reached his highest position in the ATP rankings |
Ash Barty’s Three-Surface Grand Slam Record Makes Her a Leading Candidate
Ash Barty enters the 2027 selection process with one of the most complete records among the nominees.
The Australian won three Grand Slam singles championships on three different surfaces.
She captured Roland Garros in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021 and the Australian Open in 2022.
That versatility distinguishes her career.
Clay, grass and hard courts reward different patterns of movement, shot selection and tactical execution.
Barty demonstrated that her game could succeed across all three.
Her combination of slice, serving variety, forehand control and court intelligence allowed her to change rhythm and exploit opponents’ weaknesses.
She spent 121 weeks at world No. 1, including 114 consecutive weeks at the top.
She also won the 2018 US Open women’s doubles championship and earned a mixed doubles bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Her career included 15 WTA singles titles and 12 doubles titles.
Barty’s Retirement at World No. 1 Remains an Unusual Part of Her Legacy
Barty retired in March 2022, shortly after winning the Australian Open.
She was 25 years old and still ranked world No. 1.
Her decision surprised much of the tennis world because she was still competing at an exceptionally high level.
For the Hall of Fame, however, retirement timing should be separated from competitive achievement.
Barty’s career had already produced three major singles championships, sustained world No. 1 status and success in doubles.
Her first appearance on the ballot therefore comes with substantial evidence of achievement at the highest level.
Her range across different surfaces also provides context for TSE’s historical analysis of world No. 1 and No. 2 players meeting in US Open finals, which examines how rare sustained dominance can be even among elite competitors.
Svetlana Kuznetsova’s Four Majors Highlight the Value of Singles and Doubles Excellence
Svetlana Kuznetsova returns to the Hall of Fame ballot after building a career that combined Grand Slam success in singles and doubles.
The Russian won the 2004 US Open and 2009 French Open singles championships.
She also won women’s doubles titles at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2012.
Her overall record includes 18 WTA singles titles and 16 doubles titles.
She reached world No. 2 in singles and No. 3 in doubles.
That dual success is important because modern professional tennis often encourages players to concentrate heavily on one discipline.
Kuznetsova competed at an elite level in both.
Her singles achievements demonstrated the ability to win major tournaments across different surfaces.
Her doubles record required another set of skills, including net play, positioning, partnership coordination and fast tactical reactions.
Why Kuznetsova’s Doubles Titles Deserve Equal Recognition
When tennis legacies are discussed, singles championships often receive the greatest attention.
However, the Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished competitive achievements across the sport.
Kuznetsova’s ability to win majors in two disciplines makes her record broader than a simple count of singles titles suggests.
Her career also included important contributions to Russia’s international team success.
She was part of three title-winning Russian teams in the Billie Jean King Cup, previously known as the Fed Cup.
She therefore has a credible case based on Grand Slam results, tour longevity and international team performance.
Her place on the ballot also encourages a useful discussion about how achievements in singles and doubles should be compared without treating either discipline as insignificant.
Shingo Kunieda’s Wheelchair Tennis Record Represents a Different Standard of Greatness
Japan’s Shingo Kunieda is nominated in the Wheelchair Tennis Category, which is considered separately from the Player Category.
His achievements are extraordinary by any historical standard.
Kunieda won 28 Grand Slam singles titles and earned four Paralympic gold medals.
His record includes repeated victories at the world’s most important wheelchair tennis events and sustained dominance across many seasons.
The breadth of his achievements is particularly significant because success in wheelchair tennis requires exceptional mobility, racket control, positioning and tactical decision-making.
Kunieda became one of the most recognizable figures in the sport and contributed to its growing international profile.
His nomination also reflects the Hall of Fame’s recognition that tennis history includes different competitive disciplines.
Why Kunieda Is on a Separate Ballot
The Wheelchair Tennis Category is evaluated on a different cycle from the Player Category.
It is considered for induction every four years.
Consequently, Kunieda’s nomination should not be portrayed as a direct competition against Del Potro, Barty or Kuznetsova for one available place.
The athletes are being evaluated within their respective nomination categories.
Kunieda’s candidacy offers an opportunity to recognize a player whose achievements helped establish new standards within wheelchair tennis.
How the International Tennis Hall of Fame Voting Process Works
The Hall of Fame uses a formal selection system that considers voting by an Official Voting Group and supplementary fan participation.
The Official Voting Group includes tennis journalists, historians and existing Hall of Famers.
Fans can vote in the Player Category through October 25, 2026.
The public vote contributes bonus percentage points to the official voting result according to the Hall’s voting procedures.
Candidates must reach the required 75 percent threshold to earn induction.
Importantly, the vote is not simply a popularity contest in which the candidate with the most fan votes automatically enters the Hall.
The Official Voting Group remains central to the selection process.
Multiple candidates may qualify if they satisfy the applicable criteria.
Fans can participate through the Hall’s official public voting portal.
Key Dates for the Class of 2027
| Milestone | Date or Status |
|---|---|
| Official nominees announced | October 18, 2026 |
| Public voting period | Open |
| Public voting deadline | October 25, 2026 |
| Required induction threshold | 75 percent under the Hall’s selection procedures |
| Final Class of 2027 members | Not yet announced |
| 2027 induction ceremony | Details subject to official announcement |
Why Roger Federer’s 2026 Induction Makes Del Potro’s Nomination More Meaningful
Federer entered the International Tennis Hall of Fame in August 2026.
The Swiss champion finished his career with 20 Grand Slam singles championships and 103 ATP Tour titles.
His nomination and induction were widely anticipated because of his extraordinary record.
Del Potro appeared on the previous ballot but was not inducted.
The Argentine now returns in a year when Federer is already a Hall of Famer.
Their careers remain linked by one of the most memorable US Open finals in tennis history.
Federer won five consecutive New York championships from 2004 through 2008.
Del Potro ended the streak in 2009.
The Sports Encounter examined the Swiss champion’s achievements in its comprehensive tribute to Roger Federer’s Hall of Fame induction.
That history provides a useful way to understand Del Potro’s career.
The player who interrupted one of Federer’s most impressive winning streaks is now seeking recognition from the same institution that honored the Swiss champion.
The Big Three Era Makes Del Potro’s Career Difficult to Evaluate by Title Count Alone
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic transformed the historical expectations surrounding men’s tennis.
Their extraordinary success meant that other talented players often encountered one or more of them during the closing stages of Grand Slam tournaments.
Del Potro was one of the few players capable of winning important matches against all three.
His 2009 US Open victory is especially memorable because he overcame Nadal and Federer in consecutive rounds.
But that success did not develop into a long run of major championships.
Injuries repeatedly disrupted his career, creating periods in which he was unable to compete consistently.
The Hall of Fame decision therefore presents a broader question about sporting legacy.
Should the evaluation focus primarily on total trophies, or should it also recognize exceptional achievements under unusually difficult competitive circumstances?
The answer lies in examining the complete body of work rather than relying on one statistic.
Del Potro’s Grand Slam title, Olympic medals, Davis Cup championship, ATP titles and career-high ranking form a substantial record.
His injuries help explain why that record did not become even larger, although hypothetical additional championships cannot be counted as achievements.
Comparing the Four Nominees Without Creating a False Ranking
| Candidate | Strongest Evidence | Distinctive Historical Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Juan Martín del Potro | Grand Slam title, Davis Cup, Olympic medals, 22 ATP titles | Major success during the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era |
| Ash Barty | Three singles majors, 121 weeks at No. 1, doubles major | Grand Slam titles across clay, grass and hard courts |
| Svetlana Kuznetsova | Four majors across singles and doubles, 34 WTA titles across both disciplines | Elite success in two forms of professional tennis |
| Shingo Kunieda | 28 major singles titles, four Paralympic gold medals | Historic dominance and influence in wheelchair tennis |
These achievements should not be placed in one simplistic numerical ranking.
The candidates competed in different disciplines and faced different conditions.
Hall of Fame recognition is intended to examine distinguished achievements within the relevant category and broader tennis history.
The table is therefore a comparison of career evidence, not a prediction of who will receive the most votes.
Hall of Fame Recognition and the Changing History of the US Open
Several of the nominees achieved their defining results in New York.
Del Potro won the 2009 men’s singles championship.
Kuznetsova captured the 2004 women’s singles title.
Barty won the 2018 women’s doubles championship.
The US Open has consequently provided important moments in the careers of three candidates on the Player Category ballot.
That connection also shows how different forms of success contribute to the tournament’s history.
The Sports Encounter’s comprehensive 2026 US Open guide examined the tournament’s continuing importance across men’s and women’s tennis.
Our report on Alexander Zverev’s 2026 US Open championship offers another example of how a major victory can transform a player’s career narrative.
However, the Hall of Fame evaluates more than individual Grand Slam performances.
Career longevity, sustained excellence, achievements across competitions and the player’s wider contribution to tennis all help establish historical significance.
Why the 2027 Selection Will Attract International Attention
Each candidate has strong support from a different part of the tennis community.
Del Potro remains a highly regarded figure in Argentina and among fans who remember his ability to challenge the Big Three.
Barty’s career is especially important to Australian tennis, where her Australian Open victory ended a long wait for a home women’s singles champion.
Kuznetsova represents a successful generation of Russian players who competed at the highest level across singles, doubles and international team events.
Kunieda’s achievements remain central to the history of wheelchair tennis, particularly in Japan and the wider Paralympic movement.
Public voting can demonstrate fan interest, but the selection system is designed to consider career achievements through the Official Voting Group.
That creates an opportunity to recognize several different kinds of sporting excellence without requiring one player’s contribution to diminish another’s.
What the 2027 Hall of Fame Ballot Means for Tennis History
The nomination list comes at a time when tennis continues to examine the legacies of its previous generation.
Federer has entered the Hall of Fame, while Djokovic continues to compete and pursue additional career milestones.
Recent developments in the men’s game have brought several historical records back into public discussion.
TSE’s analysis of Djokovic’s pursuit of Federer’s 103 ATP singles titles illustrates how the achievements of retired champions remain relevant to contemporary competition.
For Del Potro, the 2027 ballot offers the possibility of securing a permanent place in that historical record.
For Barty and Kuznetsova, it offers recognition of distinguished women’s tennis careers built through different styles and disciplines.
For Kunieda, it provides an opportunity to honor one of wheelchair tennis’s most successful champions.
International Tennis Hall of Fame 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been nominated for the 2027 International Tennis Hall of Fame?
Juan Martín del Potro, Ash Barty and Svetlana Kuznetsova are nominated in the Player Category. Shingo Kunieda is nominated separately in the Wheelchair Tennis Category.
Has Juan Martín del Potro already been inducted?
No. He is a candidate for the Class of 2027, and the selection process remains underway.
When does public voting close?
Fan voting for the Player Category closes on October 25, 2026.
How can fans vote?
Fans can participate through the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s official voting website at vote.tennisfame.com.
How many Grand Slam singles titles did Del Potro win?
Del Potro won one Grand Slam singles title, the 2009 US Open.
Who did Del Potro defeat in the 2009 US Open final?
He defeated Roger Federer in five sets after beating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
How many Grand Slam singles titles did Ash Barty win?
Barty won three: the 2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon and 2022 Australian Open.
How many major titles did Svetlana Kuznetsova win?
Kuznetsova won four major titles, two in singles and two in doubles.
Why is Shingo Kunieda nominated in a separate category?
Kunieda is nominated in the Wheelchair Tennis Category, which follows a separate selection cycle.
What percentage of votes is required for induction?
The Hall of Fame uses a 75 percent selection threshold under its official voting procedures, with fan participation contributing bonus points to the Player Category results.
Del Potro’s Second Chance Gives the Class of 2027 a Compelling Historical Connection
Juan Martín del Potro spent his career challenging some of tennis’s greatest champions while repeatedly confronting physical setbacks that interrupted his progress.
His 2009 US Open victory remains one of the defining results of the Federer era.
His Olympic medals and Argentina’s Davis Cup triumph provide further evidence of a career that extended well beyond a single Grand Slam championship.
But the 2027 ballot is not solely about Del Potro.
Ash Barty’s versatility and sustained world No. 1 success, Svetlana Kuznetsova’s achievements across singles and doubles, and Shingo Kunieda’s extraordinary wheelchair tennis record present different examples of lasting sporting excellence.
The final selections will depend on the Hall of Fame’s voting procedures.
For now, the nominations provide an opportunity to revisit careers that shaped tennis in different ways and to consider how the sport preserves their achievements for future generations.
Federer received his Hall of Fame recognition in 2026. Whether the player who ended his remarkable US Open winning streak joins him in 2027 remains to be decided.