via Reuters
Tennis – Argentina Open – Men’s Singles – Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis club, Buenos Aires, Argentina – February 9, 2022 Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro reacts after losing his match against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis. Del Potro played his first match on the circuit since June 2019 REUTERS/Matias Baglietto
via Reuters
Tennis – Argentina Open – Men’s Singles – Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis club, Buenos Aires, Argentina – February 9, 2022 Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro reacts after losing his match against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis. Del Potro played his first match on the circuit since June 2019 REUTERS/Matias Baglietto
Juan Martín del Potro retired last year due to constant injury issues. His retirement was a somber affair as the Argentinian player was reduced to tears. However, he announced his plans to come back this year for one last hurrah. Much like Rafael Nadal, who announced he will be back in full force soon and will have a last season in 2023. Unlike Nadal, Delpo does not want to continue for another season, as he explained in a recent interview.
Juan Martín del Potro opens up about a longer career
2022 was a sad season for tennis fans worldwide. The year saw the retirement of several dominant players, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Ashleigh Barty, to name a few. Juan Martín del Potro was with these stars and had to step down from the sport due to issues with injuries. But he announced surefire news of a comeback for the US Open this year. However, he has also assured that the American slam will be his last bout with the sport.
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Un @delpotrojuan íntimo, a fondo, con todos los temas que envuelven su carrera y su presente.
El día después, la ausencia de “llave y candado” en su etapa como tenista, su irrepetible estilo de juego, la Davis y el plano emocional.https://t.co/9F6LYTchpj
— Pablo Amalfitano (@AmalfiTenis) June 14, 2023
As he stated, he is not completely out of the tennis scene yet. He did not change his active status on his social media, and he intends to let it be for now. For him, retirement is a dreadful idea, yet he has plans on how to deal with it.
“I do not have my stage in tennis one hundred percent closed, with a key and padlock. At some times of the day I feel like an active tennis player. I don’t watch videos as a retired tennis player. On my social media it says ‘tennis player’. And I want to keep it. The day after is very difficult and, in my case, I prepare now.”
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Additionally, he gave the example of Rafa Nadal when talking about the length of his active career. While the Spaniard has the luxury to talk about his next season, Delpo is not giving it a thought.
“Life put this in my way and I couldn’t do a process like Nadal’s, for example, who announced that the next one will be his last season. I was number three in the world. I fell, I broke my knee and I still talk to doctors to see how I can heal myself. I feel like an active athlete.”
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Argentina has put out fantastic athletes, with Delpo being one of them. Even if Del Potro does not go far in his comeback, his 2009 victory over Roger Federer at the Open is not one that people will forget anytime soon.
