‘One of a Kind’: Stan Wawrinka, Fabio Fognini, Sebastian Korda, Frances Tiafoe, and Twitterati Can’t Hold Back Their Emotions as Juan Martin del Potro Bursts Into Tears in Farewell Game

33-year-old Juan Martin del Potro returned to professional tennis for the first time in almost three years. However, in his own words, this was not a ‘comeback’. In fact, this was more of a ‘farewell’.

Ahead of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, del Potro had stated that the tournament in Argentina could be one of his last. Subsequently, he plans on playing in Rio de Janeiro as well, but it genuinely seems like it would be his retirement event.

Today, after losing his match in the Argentina Open, Juan Martin del Potro broke into tears in his on-court interview. Here is how Twitter, and his peers on the tennis circuit, reacted.

Twitter reacts to Juan Martin del Potro breaking down on the court

In his match against compatriot Federico Delbonis, Juan Martin del Potro took the first game after breaking Delbonis’ serve. However, he then suffered two consecutive breaks owing to his lack of mobility. Consequently, he lost the first set 1-6.

Even though he was a little more defiant in the second set, Delbonis remained the superior player. Ultimately, del Potro lost the match 1-6, 3-6.

Nevertheless, there was a moment of magic before del Potro served the last game of the match when he was down 3-5. “Delpo is not leaving,” the crowd began chanting after getting up on its feet.

The Tower of Tandil, so moved by this gesture, began tearing up profusely. After all, Delpo was playing in front of his home crowd in Argentina, and they made sure to let Delpo feel their love for him.

Naturally, Twitter could not keep its emotions unchecked either. “I‘m not crying, you’re crying,” a Twitter user said, reacting to the video of Juan Martin del Potro crying.

Another fan described how they had “always been a HUGE fan (of) del Potro”. Not only was Delpo tearing up, but so was this fan, as they wrote, “this got me tearing up.”

Additionally, a Twitter user echoed the sentiments of everyone in the tennis community. “Sad to see Delp hang up his racket,” they wrote.

“Bless this man’s soul,” a fan wrote, quote tweeting Tennis TV’s video of Delpo crying behind a towel. Moreover, a fan shared how “(her) heart is crying for him (del Potro)”.

“I just want to hug him,” a Delpo fan wrote on Twitter. Clearly, they are not alone in this sentiment.

ALSO READ: ‘Fulfilled All the Dreams I Had’: Juan Martin Del Potro Bids Adieu to the Sport in a Heart-Breaking Interview Post Buenos Aires Loss

Further yet, another fan described Juan Martin del Potro as, “one of a kind among the greats.”

Tennis community’s reactions to del Potro’s Argentinian farewell

American World No. 44, Sebastian Korda, reacted to today’s match at the Argentina Open. He wrote “Delpo” on his Twitter feed, next to a red heart and a crying emoji. Needless to say, Korda is feeling exactly what millions of tennis fans across the world are feeling today.

Even Swiss tennis star and 3-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka took to Instagram stories to express his feelings for Delpo. “Legend,” Wawrinka wrote next to a photo he reposted of Del Potro, which the official ATP Tour Instagram Page posted.

Australian player Daria Saville, too, reacted, Tweeting that “Delpo will always be one of (her) favorites”.

American tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who is currently recovering from an injury while off the tour, penned a rather emotional message for Juan Martin del Potro. “I hope this ain’t your last match. But if it is, I want to say thank you,” Tiafoe wrote.

Even Italian former World No. 9 Fabio Fognini wrote an emotional message for del Potro through his Instagram stories. “Dear friend I wish you the best,” Fognini wrote. “Hopefully, you can get back on the court and make us enjoy your tennis like (old) time(s). I send you a big hug. I love you,” the Italian expressed.

Clearly, the tennis community is genuinely affected and upset at having to see the gentle giant leave the game in pain.

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