For one afternoon, the Parque Roca stadium
He once again experienced a tennis festival. Far (or not so far) from those days of
Davis Cup, Weiss’ Mary Terán dressed up for a special occasion:
celebrate the career of Juan Martín del Potro, 33 months after his last
official match, and receive a legend still in force like Novak Djokovic.
So, from early on, the Villa Soldati property received thousands of
spectators, tennis enthusiasts, fans eager to say goodbye to
one of the best players in Argentine history and enjoy the magic of
champion of 24 Grand Slams; rivals some time ago, friends forever. AND
It was an unforgettable day, with joy, laughter, and an inevitable pinch of
nostalgia.
The closest appointment in Parque Roca had
been a couple of years ago, in November 2022, with the visit of Rafael Nadal and
Casper Ruud, which included a mixed doubles with Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela
Dulko; a little further back in time, a duel between Roger Federer and Alexander
Zverev, in November 2019. That time, it is worth remembering, the Swiss legend,
At that time, at 38 years old, he was going to have Delpo as a rival, but the Tandil native
was beginning to suffer the effects of the fracture in his right kneecap from which
he could never recover, and could not participate; German replaced it, today number
2 in the world and who will return to Buenos Aires next February, this time to
play for points in the Argentina Open. Much further back in time
The days of Davis Cup are gone: more than eleven years have passed since the
last series played there, in April 2013, a 3-2 win over France.
The cool afternoon and the early rains
They threatened a cold Sunday, but the afternoon brought a hint of sun.
Inside the stadium, the people brought the heat, with 14,000 spectators surrendered
before two legends. Maybe it doesn’t have the same flavor as watching him play in a tournament
official, but there are not many opportunities to follow some points of
Djokovic so close… and at this point in years, it seems difficult that he can
return to these lands at the highest level. As it was also the last
opportunity to hear the sound of thunder in Del Potro’s right hands. By
That’s why no racket fan wanted to miss this unique afternoon.
Around 3:45 p.m. the action began, as a
aperitif, with a tie-break duel between two of the best players
Argentines of the season, Sebastián Báez and Francisco Comesaña; it was victory
for the first by 8-6 and 7-5. The man from Buenos Aires earned a standing ovation with a Great Willy
winner. There was time for the public to have fun with selfies
projected on a giant screen, the usual “kiss cam” in other shows
sports, the infallible pop of the 80s, the chingui chingui of music
electronics. There was an ovation when the screens showed the former footballer
Maximiliano Rodríguez, remembered author of a great goal against Mexico in the World Cup
from Germany 2006; also for Paula Pareto, unforgettable gold medal
Olympic in judo. The soccer list included, among others, Rolando Schiavi,
Carlos Tevez, Ramiro Funes Mori and Gonzalo Pity Martínez.
The show included some points played by
influencers, entertainers, streamers and tennis players, like Nadia Podoroska. between the
Diego Schwartzman and Mariano Zabaleta could be seen in the audience. The Little One, who
will say goodbye to the tour at the next Argentina Open, he was greatly applauded when his
image appeared on the screens.
Glamorous as always, Gabriela Sabatini
They also took a walk through Parque Roca. The best one needed no introduction
tennis player who saw our country to take over all the applause and admiration
of everyone. Almost immediately, a standing ovation greeted Djokovic, in his
Return to Argentina after eleven years. The Serbian monopolized the flashes, a
closed ovation, the cry of “olé olé olé, Nole Nole.” The emotional moment
extended with the entry of Del Potro. Sabatini made the draw, and before the
beginning Abel Pintos sang “Motivos” and gave a guitar to each of the
tennis players Damián Steiner, remembered Argentine chair judge, officiated as umpire.
a few years ago.
Finally, the time came for the last duel between
Djokovic and Del Potro. A rivalry that had 20 previous episodes. Widely
Nole is superior on balance (16-4), but the Tandil native has three wins
unforgettable (Davis Cup 2011, London 2012 Olympic Games and Rio 2016); he
Serbian won another very important duel, the final of the US Open 2018. “Sacale
Slowly, Delpo”, was the cry that sparked some laughter. A classic right hand
delpo, all power, aroused the “uuuhhh” of admiration from the public and
thousands of applause. “Come on, Roger,” was heard behind Djokovic; fast, the
Serbian turned around and made the “no” gesture with his index finger. was missed and
those dynamite serves from Tandil will be missed, the dry impact in that
drive so feared by rivals. Generous, Djokovic allowed the Argentine
shined in several points. The Serb ran from end to end after several
Delpo volleys and, after winning the point, celebrated with the front row while
he got a standing ovation. The first set went to Juan Martín 6-4.
Djokovic is synonymous with show. It is in a
serious game and of course in a spectacle like this tribute to Del
Foal. Nole had fun and, at the same time, entertained everyone with his tennis and his
charismatic personality. He sparked laughter with a couple of imitations,
spoke with the public; witty, with spark, invented jokes every time
could. “Thank you for coming, everyone. Delpo is a great person (sic), a great
friend. He hasn’t played for two years, but today he is very good with his serve and
right. “I need him to fail a little bit,” Djokovic said in Spanish.
incipient. Number 1 in every way, Nole perfectly understood the
idea of celebrating the day dedicated to Del Potro and acted as a partner of
luxury, the best this party could have.
The Tandil native thanked the former number for the presence
1 in the world, and introduced Gisela Dulko and Gaby Sabatini. “For a long time we have
a great friendship. Last year, I had to have surgery. She told me: ‘I’m going to
take a plane and accompany you until you get better,'” Delpo said. And he started
a mixed mini-doubles, which the tandilense and Gaby won 2-1, but which formed
part of the duel between Nole and Delpo.
They both returned to the center of the scene. Now
yes, a little more seriously. “We want a third set,” was heard from the
public. “Not me,” replied the Argentine. With his serve, Djokovic left a
gifted serve. Del Potro closed his tennis cycle with a winning forehand.
Time for goodbye, for tears, for leaving the headband in the net for the last time, with
Djokovic applauding standing, in a scene. Nole, great, led the ovation
for Delpo.
“Today is a very special day. There is some pain
for not being able to play with my friend anymore. It’s been a long time since we
We met, we were 11 or 12 years old, and he was already two meters tall, and I was barely one meter tall. It
I feel Juan Martín much closer to my heart. It’s a little different
when you have to play against him on the biggest courts in tennis, you want
win, of course, but everyone loves Juan Martín wherever he goes. I
I come from a culture in which values are important, that a person
always show respect, and I think Juan Martín is an example for everyone
us, in all aspects of life; That’s what he is, an exemplary person. This
It’s a sad night for the world of tennis, but I also feel a lot of happiness
because we are here to celebrate everything he has done over the years,” he highlighted.
Djokovic, enormous at all times, since the decision to accompany him to Del Potro
until the last moment of the party.
After a video in which Del Potro received
Greetings from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Manu GInóbili, Martín Palermo,
Lionel Scaloni, Carlos Alcaraz and Gael Monfils, the Tandil native said goodbye: “This
madness started in March. I asked Nole if there was any possibility of coming
to Argentina to share my last day. He had a very big obsession,
which was to win the Olympic Games, I had a very tight schedule, but
He immediately told me yes, that he wanted to play with me, be with you. This was
made possible thanks to the generosity of Nole, who has all the titles in the
tennis, but with these attitudes and these gestures, he has the most difficult trophy to win.
get, which is the love of the people”.
“Next, I want you to know that I’m not sad.
I’m excited, for me tonight is super special. We made every effort
very big, so thank you from the bottom of my heart, they have accompanied me throughout my career in
anywhere, at any time, and that is important when we play against
great champions like Nole. Your love always filled my soul. Them
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
And at all times he insisted with an idea:
“Even if I cry, I promise you that I leave happy. Know that I am not sad at all.
I finished the race in the best way. Thank you very much for all these years.
See you soon”.
And so, Delpo said goodbye to tennis, in a
Sunday holiday. Definitely unforgettable.
SOURCE: THE NATION
