Serena Williams’ Coach Details How Juan Martin del Potro Triumphed at US Open, Despite Suffering From a Fever

Beloved by fans across the world, Juan Martin del Potro, despite having scheduled a comeback, hinted at retirement from professional tennis. He bade his farewell after his match against Federico Delbonis at the Argentina Open.

Various injury issues have plagued him throughout his career. His first-round match ended in a teary goodbye, and he later also withdrew from the Rio Open. While it is unknown whether he is officially retiring or not, fans could not be more disappointed about how the Argentinian’s comeback ended, at least for now.

A Grand Slam champion, with 22 career titles to his name, the Tower of Tandil is well-loved off the courts as well. Fans, friends, and associates from the tennis fraternity poured in their love and support for the ‘gentle giant‘ as everyone knows him.

Delpo, as he is called by many, has been a tremendous fighter on court. Such was his skill, that in the peak of the Big Three’s careers, he was the one who managed to stop them in their tracks, multiple times, at important junctures.

Mouratoglou thinks Juan Martin del Potro is a champion

Legendary coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who works with top players like Serena Williams, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Coco Gauff, and others recently shared a video about Del Potro. He talks about a ‘crazy’ match where del Potro overcame insurmountable odds to win.

He recalls a match in the 2017 US Open, between Dominic Thiem from Austria and Juan Martin del Potro. This is when Dominic Thiem was among the top 10 players in the circuit. Mouratoglou was commentating on the match, with Darren Cahill, the ex-coach of the former World No. 1, Simona Halep.

Read More: Statement From Rio Open Officially Confirms Juan Martin Del Potro’s Retirement From Professional Tennis

“So, Delpo was being crushed by Dominic Thiem who was Top 10 at that time. So first two sets, 6-1, 6-2. He was sick, he had a terrible fever. But one very interesting fact that says it all, the Argentinian had scored only one winner. Can you imagine? We are talking about Delpo, the guy who has so much power!” Mouratoglou remembers.

He then talks about how del Potro fought back from that situation to win the third set, and force the fourth one into a tiebreaker by sheer willpower and skill. He saved two match points in the process. Ultimately, in the sixth set, both the players gave their all, but Delpo persevered, to win the fifth set 6-4.

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Mouratoglou ends the video by recognizing del Potro’s champion-like mentality. Even though he has been cruelly tested so many times in his career, he always has tried his best.