An emotional clap at the end. Nearly 15,000 spectators and, in front of him, the most famous opponent, Novak Djokovic: the former world No.3 Juan Martin del Potro, very moved, said goodbye to high-level tennis, at the age of 36, during an exhibition match on Sunday in Buenos Aires.
For their 21st confrontation – the first dating back to 2007 – the Argentinian won for the 5th time against his Serbian friend, 6-4, 7-5. But the main thing was elsewhere, in the emotion felt by the audience and by the winner of the 2009 US Open, after years of fighting against physical difficulties.
“This crazy idea was born in March when I asked + Nole + if there was a way for him to come to Argentina to share my latest, and although he had a very full schedule, he immediately told me said yes,” explained Del Potro, winner of 22 titles on the circuit and who also has two Olympic medals to his name, bronze in London in 2012 and in Rio in 2016.
“It’s a really special day”
Unfortunately for him, Juan Martin Del Potro had an end to his career completely spoiled by the accumulation of injuries, starting with his right knee. “A never-ending nightmare”, in his own words, which saw him play his last professional match in… February 2022.
After their final meeting on Sunday, and a brief mixed doubles with the Argentines Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko, Novak Djokovic also expressed his emotion.
“It’s a really special day. It’s a bit painful not to be able to play against my friend in the future… I come from a place where values are important and I believe Juan Martin is an example for all of us,” said the Serbian.
While he had been beaten by the Argentinian in London 2012 and Rio 2016, Djokovic, now coached by Andy Murray, finally managed to win Olympic gold this summer in Paris. Now world No.7, the Serbian legend, 37, will hunt for a 25th Major in January at the Australian Open.
