Finally, what was practically a fact was confirmed. Argentine tennis player Juan Martín del Potro will not play the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro.
The US Open champion in 2009 returned to the courts in the tournament in Buenos Aires, where he lost in the first round against Federico Delbonis. Prior to this tournament, del Potro announced that he would step away from the tennis courts.
“What is clear is that after Rio (de Janeiro) I will stop, if I go,” said the man from Tandil in his last press conference, anticipating his possible absence at the ATP in Rio.
The Argentine had an invitation for this tournament, however, his current condition and after his loss in straight sets in the match that marked his return to the courts, Delpo decided not to be part of the main draw of the Brazilian tournament.
Low in Brazil
«Unfortunately, Juan Martín del Potro will not play the Rio Open. It was always a dream to have him with us and we were very close to achieving it. We wish you much success in the future and know that the doors of the Rio Open will always be open for you”communicated the Río Open through its official Twitter account.
And it is that after there was speculation about his future when Juan Martín announced his return, days later, and before his game against Delbonis, the same Argentine declared that for him, more than a return, it meant a farewell.
This was confirmed after his match at the ATP in Buenos Aires, where Delpo stated that he would be away from the courts for an indefinite period of time, seeking to prioritize his health.
“Today is a point and apart. I will always leave the window open. But tennis is on the sidelines until I can improve my leg. If I succeed, I will put other cards on the table. Right now I’m not sure about Rio”, the Argentine declared on that day.
Given the loss of “La Torre de Tandil”, the tennis players who stand out the most in the Rio de Janeiro squad are Matteo Berrettini, Casper Rudd y Diego Schwartzman.
