Del Potro Bids an Emotional Farewell to Tennis in Argentina
Juan Martin del Potro, the former US Open champion, said an emotional goodbye to tennis after playing a farewell exhibition match against long-time rival Novak Djokovic in Buenos Aires. The 36-year-old Argentine, who won his sole major title in 2009, has battled chronic injuries throughout his career, with a knee fracture in 2019 proving to be the final blow.
Del Potro’s career was marred by persistent physical struggles, and the 2019 knee injury has left him with daily pain, limiting his ability to play at the highest level. After his final tournament appearance in 2022, Del Potro retired from the sport, but made one last appearance in front of his home crowd for “The Last Challenge.” The event, held in Buenos Aires, saw the Argentine defeat Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, with around 15,000 fans in attendance.
The match was filled with emotion as Del Potro teared up several times, especially during his final exchange with Djokovic, who shared a heartfelt hug with him after the match. In a poignant moment, Del Potro laid his iconic bandana—the one he wore throughout his career—on the middle of the net.
“I don’t know a person who doesn’t love Juan Martin del Potro,” Djokovic said during the tribute. “Juan Martin is an example for all of us, and his greatest victory in life is being a wonderful person.”
A video tribute featured tennis legends such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Gael Monfils, all praising Del Potro’s sportsmanship and legacy.
Del Potro’s crowning achievement came in 2009 when he defeated five-time defending champion Federer to claim the US Open title. He reached the final again in 2018 but lost to Djokovic. Known for his powerful forehand, Del Potro also won two Olympic medals—bronze in 2012 and silver in 2016—and amassed 22 ATP singles titles, peaking at No. 3 in the world rankings.
However, injuries, particularly to his wrist and knee, hindered his progress after his US Open victory. In a video shared on Instagram last week, Del Potro opened up about the long-term toll these injuries have taken on his life.
“My daily life isn’t what I would like it to be. It’s very tough,” he said. “There are moments where I have no more strength. I’m not indestructible. I have good things, bad things, but most of the time, I have to fake it and put on a good face. Many times, I feel terrible. Since that moment [after surgery in 2019], I was never able to climb stairs without pain. It hurts when I drive, it hurts when I sleep. It’s been a never-ending nightmare.”
Despite the challenges, Del Potro’s farewell served as a testament to his resilience, character, and the profound impact he had on the tennis world.
