On Sunday, he will bid farewell to tennis with an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic. In a long video shared on Instagram, the tennis champion shares “the story of his last years”, marked by an incessant fight against pain.
Published on 11/27/2024 07:47
Reading time: 1min
Argentinian tennis champion Juan Martin Del Potro, the 7th of 2023. (JARED C. TILTON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / VIA AFP)
“It’s a never-ending nightmare,” tennis player Juan Martín del Potro, 36, said in a video on Instagram on Monday, November 25, about his incessant physical pain. The Argentinian, former world number 3 now retired, suffers from permanent and daily pain which he talks about on the social network.
“I received more than 100 injections in my leg, hip and back. It’s painful”tells the story of the man who won 22 titles including the US Open in 2009 and whose career was punctuated by multiple injuries. “I’ve never climbed steps without pain again, I’m on a 4 hour car trip and I have to go out to stretch my legs, I’m having trouble sleeping.”
The former tennis player, forced to retire in 2022, speaks of a “endless nightmare”. He admits to taking “between six and eight tablets” per day of which “a gastric protector, an anti-inflammatory, an analgesic and another for anxiety”. Juan Martín del Potro wait “that one day this will end because[il veut] live without pain.
Juan Martín Del Potro will play an exhibition match on Sunday, December 1 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, against Serbian player Novak Djokovic to bid farewell to tennis.
**People:** How does the choice of guests – a sports medicine specialist and a sports psychologist – contribute to a comprehensive understanding of del Potro’s situation?
## Interview: Juan Martin Del Potro’s Farewell to Tennis
**Host:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re joined by two esteemed guests to discuss the recent revelation by tennis legend Juan Martin Del Potro about his retirement and the ongoing struggle with chronic pain. Joining us are Dr. [Guest 1 Name], a sports medicine specialist, and [Guest 2 Name], a sports psychologist.
**Section 1: The Impact of Injury on Athletic Careers**
**Host:** Juan Martin del Potro’s career, though luminous, was significantly impacted by injuries. Dr. [Guest 1 Name], how common are career-ending injuries in professional sports, and what are the physical and psychological ramifications for athletes?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:**
[Response about the prevalence of career-ending injuries, differentiating between acute and chronic injuries, and the spectrum of physical and psychological effects].
**Host**: [Guest 2 Name], how does an athlete cope with the abrupt end to their career, particularly when it’s due to physical limitations rather than performance decline?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
[Response about the grieving process, the importance of finding a new identity outside of sports, and the role of support systems].
**Section 2: Chronic Pain and its Impact on Daily Life**
**Host:** Del Potro describes his pain as a “never-ending nightmare.” This speaks to the profound impact chronic pain can have on someone’s life. Dr. [Guest 1 Name], can you elaborate on the physiological and psychological effects of ongoing chronic pain?
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:**
[Response elucidating the neurological mechanisms involved in chronic pain, its impact on mood, sleep, and overall quality of life, and the different management strategies].
**Host:** [Guest 2 Name], how does chronic pain affect an individual’s psychological well-being and sense of self-worth, especially for someone used to a demanding, high-performance lifestyle like Del Potro?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
[Response discussing the potential for depression, anxiety, and loss of control, the importance of seeking psychological support, and the role of positive coping mechanisms].
**Section 3: Farewell to Tennis and Looking Ahead**
**Host:** Although retired, Del Potro is engaging in a farewell exhibition match against Novak Djokovic. What message do you think this sends, both to his fans and to other athletes facing similar struggles?
**[Guest 2 Name]:**
[Response highlighting the importance of closure, the power of resilience, and the message of hope that Del Potro’s continued engagement with the sport conveys].
**Dr. [Guest 1 Name]:**
[Response focusing on the physical benefits of moderate exercise even with chronic pain, the potential therapeutic effect of returning to a familiar environment, and the positive example Del Potro sets for pain management].
**Host:** Thank you both for your insightful perspectives. Juan Martin del Potro’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the physical and emotional toll that elite sports can take on athletes. His courage in sharing his story and continuing to interact with the sport he loves offers hope and inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
