Early in the week, Argentina Open organizers confirmed that Juan Martin del Potro had accepted a wildcard to play at his home tournament, setting a comeback to tour-level competition after two years and a half sidelined by a knee injury.
Soon, the fans helped to sell out the tournament, eager to watch his local idol playing again at a tennis court, overwhelmed by joy.
On Saturday, during his pre-tournament press conference, the former world number three in the ATP Rankings delivered the shocking news.
“I think this is one of the most difficult messages I will ever deliver,” he said.
“I know that people are expecting me to return to tennis, but this may be more of a farewell than a return.”
On the verge of his latest comeback, the world learned this must be literally ‘it’ for the talented player who keeps struggling with pain.
A visibly emotional del Potro further stated: “The knee continues to make me live a nightmare. I have been trying alternative treatments for several years, with different doctors and attempts to fix it. But I have still not found a solution. But I never imagined retiring from tennis without having the chance to say goodbye, and I can’t imagine a better tournament than Buenos Aires to do it.”
Throughout his professional career, the 33-year-old strived with a series of injuries. Most notably, he also managed to raise his level every time, coming back stronger.
THE LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF AN OUTSTANDING PLAYER’S CAREER
His latest appearance took place in June 2019 at the Queen’s Club cinch Championships in London, an ATP 500 tournament contested on grass courts.
Del Potro won his first-round match against Denis Shapovalov, but in the process, ended up falling over, fracturing his kneecap, re-injuring the same area where he sustained an injury in 2018 at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000, forcing him to withdraw from the tournament.
Over the last two years and a half, he underwent four surgeries on his right knee. Targeting to play at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and still not pain-free, his latest operation took place in Chicago in March of 2021.
At the time, he commented: “I hope I can overcome this painful situation. I won’t stop trying. Of course, your messages and best wishes are always welcomed. Thanks for the love.”
Unfortunately, he was not able to reach his goal of playing at the Olympics Games, held between July and August.
Last September, he made an appearance at the U.S. Open, watching the matches, talking to the media, and even sharing a hit on the practice courts with tennis legend John McEnroe.
In an interview with ESPN, del Potro outlined: “This is the toughest match of my career because I cannot deal with this kind of injury, this pain that I have now. But I’m still trying and trying.”
Flushing Meadows, in New York, is a special place for the Argentine, who accomplished his sole Grand Slam in 2009 at the U.S. Open, coming back from a set down to defeat 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in a five-set thriller.
Despite the setbacks due to physical challenges, the 22-time ATP Tour titlist never gave up, retaining hopes to return to a competitive level doing what he loves, playing tennis.
Before undergoing four procedures on his right knee, del Potro’s career was disrupted by wrist injuries.
In 2010, a right wrist injury required surgery, performed successfully by Dr. Richard Berger, a leading hand surgeon.
The recovery process took the Tandil native away from Tour for eight months, and in 2011 he returned to action. By the end of the season, he was awarded the ATP Comeback Player of the Year.
All the hard work was paying off. In 2012, del Potro became an Olympic bronze medalist in London. The following year, he reached the Wimbledon semifinal, where he battled against Novak Djokovic for four hours and 43 minutes, with the latter prevailing 7-5, 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.
However, a setback would force him to undergo three more surgeries on his left wrist between 2014 and 2015.
Times were challenging mentally and physically, while a long recovery process started.
Once more, his resilience beat the odds, and in 2016 he overcame Djokovic and Rafael Nadal en route to winning a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - losing to Andy Murray in the final.
He also helped his nation win a maiden Davis Cup title against Croatia, playing with a broken finger in his left hand, as he later revealed: “It happened when I tried to catch a ball in the fifth set.”
Adding: “Thanks to all those who prevented me from retiring, I was very close to never playing again and, well, here I am.”
In 2018, he captured his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, toppling Federer, the defending champion. Contesting Roland Garros, he advanced into the semifinals, falling to the ‘King of Clay’, Nadal.
In addition, he moved into the final at his “home” the U.S. Open, though Djokovic was the one to emerge victorious after three sets.
Then, the problems with his knee started in Shangai, and the rest is history.
Back to the present, del Potro is scheduled to play the first round of the Argentina Open on Tuesday evening in Buenos Aires against compatriot Federico Delbonis.
Those who have seen him practicing say his weapons are intact; the big serve is still there as his fantastic forehand.
Furthermore, ‘La Torre de Tandil’ received a wildcard to play at the ATP 500 Rio Open presented by Claro, running from February 12-20.
“After these weeks, we will see what happens with my future, but I am clear that I want to live like a person of 33 years and try not to have pain. It’s a difficult decision, but I wanted to make it clear.”