Del Potro suffered a serious knee injury in 2018 from which he was never able to fully recover. He had to undergo more than six operations on the same knee but was never able to regain his previous fitness. After winning 22 titles at the highest level, Del Potro finally retired from the sport in 2022.
The former world number three was recently quoted in a report by the English newspaper “Daily Express” in which he spoke about how difficult his life has been due to the knee injury he suffered in 2018. Del Potro explained that due to the many surgeries and other procedures he has undergone, he is no longer able to play sports after retiring from professional tennis. He also explained that he has to take six or seven tablets every day for various problems.
“My daily life is not what I would like it to be,” he said. “I can’t play football, I can’t play padel. It’s terrible. They took away my chance to do what I love most, which is to play tennis,” he continued. It’s very hard. There are moments when I no longer have any strength. I am not indestructible. There are good things and bad things but most of the time I have to pretend I put on a good face but often I feel terrible. Every day when I wake up I have to take six or seven pilsners. Stomach protectants, anti-inflammatories, one for anxiety. Then I gained weight from the pills and was told to stop eating.”
