Del Potro robbed in Paris en route to London while signing autographs for fans

PUBLISHED: 14:52 EST, 2 November 2013 | UPDATED: 11:46 EST, 8 November 2013

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Juan Martin del Potro was robbed at Paris' Gare du Nord as he made his way to London for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The world No 5 had his suitcase taken as he stopped to sign an autograph and lost both his passport and a prize rosary that had been blessed by his Argentinian countryman Pope Francis.

Del Potro, who lost to Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters on Friday, spent two hours talking to French police and sorting out paperwork before boarding the Eurostar and heading to the O2 Arena.

Travelling light: Juan Martin Del Potro arrived in London with just his playing gear after being robbed in Paris

Home stretch: Del Potro headed to the UK after losing Roger Federer in the quarter finals of the Paris Masters

The 25-year-old said: 'I don't know who asked me for an autograph but I turned round and they took my suitcase. But I got here and it happens in every country.

'I have my racquets and my clothes but nothing else. I lost personal things, my rosary that the Pope blessed in Rome, which is important to me. But it's over and I'm safe.'

Del Potro's mood was not improved when he saw the draw for the eight-man end-of-season tournament, which begins on Monday.

Star line-up: Del Potro spoke to media at the O2 Area, where the ATP World Tour Finals starts on Monday

Scene of the crime: The platforms of Paris's Gare du Nord, where Del Potro's suitcase was swiped

He was placed in Group B along with Federer, second seed Novak Djokovic and Richard Gasquet. Group A features world number one Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Stanislas Wawrinka.

It is the fourth year Del Potro has qualified for the World Tour Finals and the third time since the tournament moved to the O2 in 2009.

Last year he lost a close match against Djokovic in the semi-finals while in 2009, the year he won the US Open, he reached the final before losing to Nikolay Davydenko.

Rematch: Del Potro beat Federer in the final at Basel, lost to the Swiss in Paris and they'll meet again in London

Del Potro said: 'I just saw the draw. It's a tough group. I will have three finals for sure. Maybe the other guys are the favourites against me but at this tournament every player can beat everyone and I have to be ready for them.

'I like to play here, I've always played good tennis. I feel something special with the fans here, they respect me a lot and I enjoy it. I will try to play even better than Wimbledon.'

This has been Del Potro's best season since 2009, with the Argentinian winning four titles and coming desperately close to reaching the Wimbledon final only for Djokovic to triumph in five epic sets.

Epic: Del Potro lost the Wimbledon 2013 semi-final to Novak Djokovic in an epic five-setter

Two of his tournament victories have come in the last month, in Toyko and Basle, while he also beat Rafael Nadal to make the final of the Shanghai Masters.

Del Potro looked weary in losing to Federer on Friday, and he said: 'I'm feeling tired; it's normal, I've played 18 matches in only one month, travelling to China, Europe and Argentina in the middle.

'But I'm doing well and I'm excited to get ready for this tournament and I know it's the last effort of the year. I will try to play at the same level I've been playing the last few weeks.'

Del Potro will open his campaign on Monday evening against Gasquet, who he has beaten in five of their six previous meetings.

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Ann, Perth Australia, 1 week ago

Private jets are good Delpo

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Ann, Perth Australia, 1 week ago

Perhaps next time He will fly out from Paris into London . He has plenty of millions to go in private jet

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Joe Wagg, UK, 1 week ago

The Gare du Nord is notorious for this kind of crime.

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Samp1712, St Leonards, United Kingdom, 1 week ago

Favourite tennis player

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Lyka10t, Glos, 1 week ago

I got robbed at the Gare du Nord station too- there are often conmen sitting in wait offering to 'help' unsuspecting tourists. The police must be aware. I am now aware and avoid the place each year I visit. Once bitten and all that...

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JP, Manchester, 1 week ago

Doesn't surprise me at all, Paris is very hostile and full of muggers and thieves in parts, speaking from experience people constantly get intimidated and mugged all day long at the bottom of The Sacre Coeur, hope it embarrasses the French into doing something about it...

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mediastarguest, MADRID, 1 week ago

Luck it happened to him in Paris; in London they´d have nicked his belongings and then just for a little bonus given him a good beating and left him in a puddle of blood.

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JP, Manchester, 1 week ago

I must of missed the one where it happened in London during his stay for his mammoth semi final at Wimbledon...

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dmcomment, liverpool, United Kingdom, 1 week ago

Sorry this happened to you DelPo, I hope they find your things...

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jason, bath, 1 week ago

Brilliant!!! Can't stand this arrogant guy!!

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Game Ovais, W Mids, United Kingdom, 1 week ago

You haven't watched tennis, probably ever I think. DelPo is one of the most humble and likeable characters on the tour. In fact I think if you asked all the other top 20 players who is the nicest, DelPo would go top. Watch some tennis before you come on here and blurt out nonsense.

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Sean Paul, wexford, Ireland, 1 week ago

Arrogant? What gave you that idea. I would say the opposite is true.

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nutty, spain, 1 week ago

It shows you that is not just american countries are known to steal from ,we are not safe from anywhere, not matter where you are,England, Paris ect all the same,and yes it is new to know that this fella got robbed,iam sure if it was someone like beck ham or the prince of cambridgeit would be a national new!