He decided to leave by giving and giving himself one last smile. Juan Martin Del Potro he officially said goodbye to tennis at 36 years old by choosing to play an exhibition match with the greatest of all time, the former n. 1 Novak Djokovic. He made it all the way to Buenos Aires where 15,000 spectators welcomed him and applauded him at the Estadio Parque Roca. “This crazy idea was born in March when I asked Nole if he could come to Argentina to share my latest news and, despite having a very busy agenda, he immediately said yes,” explained Del Potro, former world no. 3 in the world in 2018, winner of 22 titles on the circuit – including the 2009 US Open -, the 2016 Davis Cup and two Olympic medals, bronze in London 2012 and silver in Rio 2016.
Djokovic moved: “Great man, example for everyone”
The Serbian, who had not played since October 13th, when he was defeated in the final by Sinner at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, gave life to a hard-fought match, ultimately allowing his friend to win, with a score of 6-4, 7-5 ( on match point he provided him with an assist allowing him to close with his trademark, a beautiful forehand, ndr). After the match and a brief mixed doubles match with Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko, Djokovic appeared as emotional as Del Potro, who burst into tears as he hugged him at the end of the match: “It’s a sad night for tennis, we’re saying goodbye to a great professional but above all a great man, an exceptional opponent, I come from a place where values are important and I believe that Juan Martin is an example for all of us”, he underlined. The Argentine thanked him: “He has won everything but by agreeing to come here he shows that he also has the most difficult trophy to win, the love of the people. Thanks to all those who have accompanied me throughout my career, I guarantee you that I will leave happy”.
Del Potro: “I live with knee pain”
Del Potro, who played his last official match in Buenos Aires in February 2022, losing 6-1, 6-3 in the first round to compatriot Federico Delbonis, has revealed in recent days that his physical condition, due to many surgical operations carried out (8 in total of which 6 only on the knee, ed.), force him to struggle with pain every day: “I can’t climb stairs without pain. My knee hurts when I drive, it hurts many times when I go to sleep. Every day, when I wake up, I have to take 6 or 7 seven pills. Gastric protectors, anti-inflammatories, one for anxiety to stop eating certain things.” It’s a never-ending nightmare. I can’t play football, I can’t play padel. They took away my chance to do what I loved most, which was playing tennis. It’s very difficult. There are times when I no longer have strength. Most of the time I have to pretend and put on a good face, but a lot of the time I feel terrible.”
“I hope to be able to get a prosthesis as soon as possible”
Del Potro finally anticipated what awaits him in the future: “Some doctors have told me that I can put on a prosthesis and regain a certain quality of life. Others have told me that I am too young to do it and have suggested that it would be better to wait until 50. But since I’m 31 I can’t run, I can’t climb stairs, I can’t kick a ball. Do I have to wait another 15 years? pain”.
#Del #Potro #bids #farewell #tennis #beating #Djokovic #emotional
–
