This Sunday the retirement of a legend of the tennis Argentine and world: Juan Martin del Potro He left the activity permanently at the age of 36. The tandilense played his farewell match in a friendly against Novak Djokovic which took place in Parque Roca, before a crowd of fans who cheered him once the match was over. ‘Delpo’ hugged the Serbian, one of his great friends on the circuit, and could not contain his tears after the final point.
‘La Torre’ was champion of the Davis Cup with Argentina in 2016 and won two medals in the Olympics (bronze in London 2012 and silver in Río 2016). He had announced his retirement from the discipline at the beginning of 2022, after numerous knee operations that prevented him from continuing his career. “Even if I cry, I promise you that I leave happy,” he declared once the exhibition was over. “Today I am what I am thanks to the people I have around me. I finish my career in the best way, dreamed of. Thank you very much for all these years and see you soon,” he concluded.
Novak Djokovic was full of praise for Del Potro: “Example”
The Serbian was present at Parque Roca to be at Del Potro’s farewell and play his last tennis match against him. After the match, he dedicated some emotional words to him: “Like the entire audience here in the stadium, I am very excited. I am also grateful to have played with my friend, with this great person, player and rival,” he began. “In recent times I feel Juan Martín much closer to my heart, he was always a rival who, despite wanting to beat him, I respected a lot. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love Del Potro, everyone loves him “He is an example for everyone. His victory in life is being a wonderful person,” concluded the current world number 7, who was widely applauded by the Argentine public.
A postcard to remember: Del Potro and Djokovic played a friendly in the Argentine’s farewell to the activity.
Del Potro’s great numbers in tennis
- 22 ATP singles titles (Association of Professional Tennis Players).
- 1 title as a doubles player in the ATP.
- Davis Cup finalist in 2008 and 2011.
- US Open Champion 2009.
- Masters Finalist 2009.
- Double medalist in the Olympic Games for Argentina (bronze in London 2012 and silver in Rio de Janeiro 2016).
- Davis Cup Champion with Argentina in 2016.
- US Open finalist in 2018.
- Number 3 in the ATP world ranking in 2018.
- Number 5 in the ATP world ranking in 2009, 2013 and 2018.
How the farewell match between Del Potro and Djokovic took place
Regarding how the negotiation with the Serbian went, Juan Martín detailed the Serbian’s great predisposition: “Even before the last Miami Open he had rumors, a little news was spreading, but we hadn’t seen each other for a long time. One day in Miami he told me: ‘Delpo, I know you’re here, I want you to come to dinner and let’s chat.’ Obviously I canceled all my plans and went to dinner. It was a joy to see him again and we had an incredible talk, talking about life, about games, about things. the young people, from Alcaraz and from Sinner. It was a spectacular talk that we would never have imagined in competition. They are nice things that tennis gives you once you are no longer there fighting for points,” he began by saying.
“And after hours of talking and becoming more confident, he said: ‘Well, tell me about your life. What are you doing? How are you? There is news that circulated, is it true, is it a lie? How are you with that?’ ‘Then he told me: ‘Well, let’s get to the point. Is it true that you want to say goodbye, play a game in Argentina?’ I told him how I felt: ‘The only way this can go ahead is if you have it. You want to join me that day. No, emotionally I am not going to be prepared to face this and I am not convinced either.’ And he told me, like this, forcefully: ‘Count on me for whatever I can help you with. I have the Olympic Games, I have Arabia. [el torneo de exhibición]tournaments, this, that, my family, but in some way I am going to accompany you in your last moment on the court.’ And for me it was very emotional because a guy like him, with the tight schedule he has, with the things he plays week after week, the thousands of offers he has of all kinds, to take a break and come for a couple of hours to Argentina to be with me and the people, who also love him, it was super special,” “Delpo” closed about the top Grand Slam winner.
