Buenos Aires - US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro returned Wednesday to his native Argentina as a hero, outlining great plans for the months ahead. "The Masters (Cup) could be my next goal this year," he told a press conference at a central Buenos Aires hotel.
Del Potro - currently ranked fifth - admitted that he wants to be world No 1 and that he shall work towards that.
"But first I want to enjoy this great moment," he said.
The young Argentine, 20, went over his first Grand Slam win.
"I had nothing to lose," he said of Monday's final against Roger Federer. "It was his 21st final against my first final."
"I can barely understand that I won the US Open, and that I beat the world No 2 and the No 1 in two days."
In his pursuit of a higher level, Del Potro admitted that he can perform like those who are currently ranked above him, but stressed that there is still a big gap.
"They make a difference by being constant, playing the semifinals or the final of any tournament they play."
Earlier, police had to rescue the tennis player from a crowd of reporters at Buenos Aires's Ezeiza airport.
Del Potro was set to travel to his native city, Tandil - 350 kilometres south of Buenos Aires, - later Wednesday.
"We will welcome him with full honours, as he deserves. We will drive the fire truck to greet him on the road. Then we will drive through the streets and avenues of the city. We will drive past Independiente, the club that saw him rise as a sportsman, and the party will end at city hall," Mayor Miguel Lunghi said Tuesday.
