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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14. Silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina waves during the medal ceremony for the men’s singles on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14. Silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina waves during the medal ceremony for the men’s singles on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Former US Open champion, Juan Martin del Potro, was all set to come back on the tennis court after a long injury break. His return from injury after two and a half years excited many fans, as they will finally see the big Argentine back on the court. However, Del Potro announced shocking news yesterday, which many fans were not expecting.
At the press conference, the Argentine tennis player revealed that this could be his last tournament, as he broke down in tears. Delpo has been suffering from a knee injury for a very long time and that is the reason he announced this shocking news to the entire world.
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Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro celebrates after winning against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka during their men’s singles second- round match on day five of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 30, 2019. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Tennis World is in shock after Juan Martin del Potro announced his retirement
Juan Martin del Potro will play his comeback match against a fellow Argentinian Federico Delbonis at the Argentina Open. Delpo himself looked excited about his return on the tennis court, as he posted many pictures of him practicing on social media. However, at the press conference, Del Potro revealed that this is more like a farewell tournament rather than a comeback.
“I have spent a lot of time thinking and imagining about this day, and I think this is one of the most difficult messages I will ever deliver. I know that people are expecting me to return to tennis, but this may be more of a farewell than a return,” Delpo said.
This news spread like a wildfire as many former players and fans reached out to the Argentine. Many congratulated Delpo for an outstanding career, but most of them felt sad about the news.
The time @delpotrojuan waited for an hour in the us open locker room for the last match of my career to finish so he could give me a hug. A giant man with a giant heart. Much love and best wishes for the next chapter, my friend. https://t.co/yZtKNeXY9V
— James Blake (@JRBlake) February 6, 2022
Toni Nadal: "Del Potro is the unluckiest man in tennis. If he didn't have so many injuries, he would have competed with the Big 3 in a constant way and fought to become world No. 1" 😭
— Luigi Gatto (@gigicat7_) February 5, 2022
Absolutely gutted about Del Potro retiring. I’ve often tuned in to tennis tournaments just to watch him play.
His match against Andy Murray during the Rio Olympics was probably the best match I’ve watched on tv. 😢https://t.co/fihSfcbXPo
— Sophie Williams (@sophierose233) February 5, 2022
Del Potro was a warrior on court and a teddy bear of court. A gentleman. A true nice guy. So many nice memories of him… He’d never cross you without a hello, a smile or a wink. He’d always make an effort to answer every question. Now go enjoy your life, champ!Be done with rehab!
— Carole Bouchard 💜💛 (@carole_bouchard) February 5, 2022
Del Potro's injury record is an argument against the existence of justice.
What a great player and a decent human. I hope he gets to enjoy good health in retirement, and soak up the love he receives from all right-thinking people. https://t.co/mY9d2kznM6
— James McNaney (@JamesMcNaney1) February 5, 2022
Every tennis fan at the news of Juan Martin Del Potro retirement announcement pic.twitter.com/BRkeTwvnkF
— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) February 5, 2022
This is too much to take 😭. However, I am an optimist and I think he said "maybe" so it ain't over yet.
— Cathy Phillips (@cathyph5) February 5, 2022
Juan Martín del Potro @delpotrojuan 🇦🇷 has implied he might be retiring soon. The Argentina Open could be his last tournament pic.twitter.com/JXqCwbxhGe
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) February 5, 2022
💔 💔 💔@delpotrojuan announces that Buenos Aires or Rio could be the final tournament of his career 😔 pic.twitter.com/PWR0GQrQ1G
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 5, 2022
In the era of extraterrestrials like the Big Three, Juan Martin del Potro showed us what it is like to be human.
Gracias, Delpo. Gracias. pic.twitter.com/q5pkN58SCC
— Yousef (@ymanna3) February 5, 2022
WE LOVE YOU @DelpotroJuan
❤️❤️❤️
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 5, 2022
Delpo's health struggles are so obviously the worst thing to happen to men's tennis in the 2010s.
Infectious game, massive heart. 💙
— Gill Gross 🪃 (@Gill_Gross) February 5, 2022
This Wimbledon video popped up on the timeline recently. Juan Martin del Potro hits a forehand winner. Rafa Nadal's reaction on court and Andy Murray's reaction on commentary… ❤️
What a player. pic.twitter.com/4issfpQ88s
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 5, 2022
Can Delpo end his career on a high?
Tomorrow, Del Potro will play possibly his last match in Buenos Aires, and he invited his mother to see him play. Interestingly, Delpo’s mother has never seen him play tennis before.
Juan Martin del Potro said that his mother Patricia, who had never seen him play professionally on the court, will come to watch his match against Federico Delbonis on Tuesday evening. @ArgentinaOpen
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) February 5, 2022
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However, Delpo will definitely try his best to not end his career with a defeat. If he can go all the way and win the Argentina Open, that will be a sweet way to say goodbye to tennis. And maybe his mind will change about retirement.
Can Delpo win the Argentina Open? Let us know in the comments.
