Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro won 22 individual titles in his career and celebrated an emotional farewell on Sunday.
15,000 spectators in Buenos Aires, a win against Novak Djokovic – and great emotions: Former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro said goodbye to tennis with a tearful show match. The injury-plagued Argentine defeated the Grand Slam record winner from Serbia 6:4, 7:5 on Sunday and then addressed the audience with emotion.
“I want you to know that I am not sad. I’m excited. This evening is very special for me,” said del Potro: “Your affection has always filled my soul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Del Potro ends career with win against Djokovic
On match point, Djokovic only played a high ball behind the net and then spread his arms before del Potro hit. The Argentine thundered his dreaded forehand into the field one last time and ended his career with his parade shot. At the net, the two stars fell into each other’s arms, crying. The “Tower of Tandil” gave free rein to its emotions and was celebrated frenetically.
The star symbolically placed his headband, which he wore throughout his career, on the edge of the net and kissed it. In the ceremony, Del Potro then received greetings from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic also spoke of a “special day. It’s a bit painful that I won’t be able to play against my friend in the future,” said the 24-time major champion: “I come from a place where values are important. And I believe that Juan Martin is a role model for all of us.”
The now 36-year-old del Potro played his last professional match in February 2022, but his physical health had already gone downhill long before that. “I haven’t been able to run properly since I was 31. I can no longer climb stairs or kick a ball. Every day when I get up I have to take six to eight tablets,” he said before the show game and revealed a long period of suffering: “I just want to live my life without pain.”
The Argentine won a total of 22 titles on the ATP tour, and beat Roger Federer in five sets in the 2009 US Open final. In 2018 he had no chance against Djokovic in his second Grand Slam final at the same place.
With Sports Information Service (SID)
