WATCH: Juan Martin del Potro’s Mother Comforts Her Whimpering Son as He Ends His Tennis Career

Juan Martin del Potro broke down in tears as he played (possibly) his last professional match at the ATP 250 Argentina Open. Even though the “Tower of Tandil” lost the match to Federico Delbonis, he received the warmest of reception from the fans. 

One set down and 3-5 in the second, Del Potro couldn’t control his emotions as he burst out in tears before he served what could be for the last time in his career. However, it was after the match that the real emotions were on display. Post-match, going back to the player’s area, the Argentinian met his mother.

The two hugged each other as Delpo once again broke down, crying in front of his mother. 

A mother’s hug for her son

As per the ATP website, Del Potro requested 80 tickets for his family and friends. Out of those 80, one of the tickets was for his mother Patricia Del Potro, who saw her son play for the first time in his career, and possibly the last ever. 

Even though Del Potro lost the match 6-1, 6-3, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions for the 2009 US Open champion. After the match, the already crying Del Potro met his mother. The two exchanged a warm hug, with his mother patting the player’s back.

Apart from Del Potro’s mother, the stands also had her sister Julieta, Argentina Davis Cup captain Guillermo Coria, Argentine tennis legend, Gabriela Sabatini along with friends and family from Tandil. Apart from these, the stand also hosted a number of active players competing in the event. 

Juan Martin del Potro on the ATP tour

In a career spanning over a decade, del Potro became one of the most loved players on the tour. After turning pro in 2005, the Argentine won 22 titles and was on the losing end of 13 finals in his journey. 

Possessing one of the heaviest forehands in the game, del Potro won his first title in 2008. Going strong through the year, he added 3 more titles to his name in the same year. In 2009, he won his only Grand Slam title, the US Open after beating Roger Federer.  

Raising his game with every tournament, he went on to win a number of titles and also reached finals on many occasions in the following years. In 2016, Del Potro displayed one of his best performances at the Rio Olympics, reaching the finals of the event, before losing to Andy Murray. 

In 2018, Del Potro touched his career-high ranking of World No. 3 after reaching the finals of the 2018 US Open. He will leave a brilliant legacy behind if he has indeed played his last match. 

Read More: Stan Wawrinka Encourages Juan Martin del Potro, as He Tearfully Bids Goodbye to Tennis