Del Potro robbed in Paris on way to London tournament

"I was checking in for the (Eurostar) train and I was asked for an autograph. I turned round to sign it and in those 20 seconds I had (the case) stolen," Del Potro said in a statement.

(Reuters)

The world number five, who lost his Paris Masters quarter-final to Roger Federer on Friday, kept his passport, money and other personal effects, including a rosary, in the briefcase.

"My rosary, blessed by Pope Francis, which I took with me everywhere, that's what mattered to me most," said Del Potro, who met the Argentine-born Pope during the Italian Open in Rome earlier in the year.

(Reporting by Luis Ampuero in Buenos Aires; Writing by Rex Gowar; Editing by Stephen Wood)