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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14. Silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina waves during the medal ceremony for the men’s singles on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14. Silver medalist Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina waves during the medal ceremony for the men’s singles on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Tennis Centre on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Yesterday, Juan Martin Del Potro gave his fans the most unexpected news. The Argentinian, who is set to make a comeback at the ATP 250 Argentina Open after staying away from the tour for 2.5 years, announced that this could be his last tournament. The latter broke down in tears while making the announcement.
Federico Delbonis, Del Potro’s first-round opponent at the Argentina Open, opened up about what he feels about Del Potro’s announcement. The 31-year-old spoke about Del Potro’s injury and his hopes that Del Potro will make a comeback like Murray.
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The two have faced each other once in their career at 2017’s ATP 1000 Indian Wells Masters. Del Potro won the match n straight sets.
Federico Delbonis pours out his heart for Del Potro
Delbonis addressed Del Potro’s injury, appreciating his fight with it. He said, “I don’t wish what he (Del Potro) is experiencing even on my worst enemy, imagine a person I love. That fight speaks for itself. On Tuesday people are going to enjoy the fight, perseverance, and love for sport”. (Quotes translated using Google translate)
🗣️ Delbonis: "Lo que él (Del Potro) está viviendo no se lo deseo ni a mi peor enemigo, imaginate a una persona que quiero. Esa lucha habla por si sola. El martes la gente va a disfrutar de la lucha, la perseverancia y el amor por el deporte".
— Cande (@kndlxld) February 6, 2022
He further went on to say that he wants Del Potro to stay a little longer. He also wished Del Potro makes a comeback like Murray. “I don’t want it to be his last game. It’s hard for all of us to listen to his statements. I still have hope, as with the case of Murray. I want that on Tuesday, beyond the result, that there is Juan Martín for a while, that he can get up and have no pain,” he said. (Quotes translated using Google translate)
"No quiero que sea su último partido. A todos nos cuesta escuchar sus declaraciones. Me quedan esperanzas, como con el caso de Murray. Quiero que el martes, más allá del resultado, que haya Juan Martín para ratos, que se pueda levantar y no tenga dolores".
— Cande (@kndlxld) February 6, 2022
Sixth-seeded Delbonis will play wildcard Del Potro in the first round of the ATP 250 Argentina Open.
Juan Martin Del Potro and his saga with injuries
Del Potro turned pro in 2015. Hitting his powerful forehand strokes, the 33-year-old won his first Grand Slam at the 2009 US Open, where he beat Roger Federer. However, the celebrations were short-lived as he faced wrist issues, forcing him to undergo three surgeries in 2015-2015.
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Coming back to the court, the ‘Tower of Tandil’ played some outstanding games in 2016-2018. However, he faced another black patch in his career when he injured his right knee at the 2018 ATP 100 Shanghai Masters.
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Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina returns the ball during his men’s singles fourth round match against Borna Coric of Croatia on Day Seven of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Coming back to the tour in 2019, the player played a limited number of tournaments. Even though Del Potro took all the required safety measures, he suffered the same injury once again at the 2019 ATP 500 Queen’s Club.
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The Argentinian underwent two surgeries in 2020 and one in 2021 to get back to his optimum. However, even after many tries, Juan Martin De Potro could not attain his vintage form.
