Juan Martin del Potro loses potential farewell match after emotional retirement talk

Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin Del Potro train side-by-side

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Juan Martin del Potro could well have just played his final tennis match after an emotional return to the court after nearly three years away. The 33-year-old accepted a wildcard into the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires and contested a first round match against compatriot Federico Delbonis last night.

A packed crowd witnessed the 2009 US Open champion’s return, which could well signal the end for him after an emotional press conference in which he hinted at immediate retirement.

On an emotional evening in the Argentine capital, Del Potro showed flashes of the brilliance that optimised his career, but ultimately lost 6-1, 6-3.

The 2016 Davis Cup champion was in floods of tears before he served to stay in the match at 3-5, while the crowd chanted ‘Delpo, Delpo’!

Following the match, he shared a warm embrace with Delbonis and proceeded to hang his bandana on the net as a sign of farewell.

The 2016 Olympic silver medallist then hugged his mother in the crowd, who had come to watch him play live for the very first time.

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Del Potro then took the time to address the crowd and announced he may have stepped on to the court to play for the very last time.

“Possibly we may not meet again,” he told the Buenos Aires crowd.

“I will speak to doctors again. I have to take care of my knee and then we will see,” he said.

“If today was the last time, I will leave happy.”

Other members of his family, former and current players were also among the spectators at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.

Del Potro has also accepted a wildcard into the Rio Open starting this Sunday, but it is unknown if he will participate.

The Argentine has suffered with a plethora of injuries throughout his career, including four right knee surgeries (June 2019, January 2020, August 2020 and March 2021).

He has also suffered from multiple wrist injuries which forced him to spend prolonged periods away from the game.

“It’s difficult to explain how I felt on the court,” he said. “So many emotions.

“The atmosphere was crazy, the people were crazy, and I had one of my best ever matches in my career with the crowd.”

Tributes poured in online for one of the most popular and beloved players in the game and the player thanked his home crowd for the incredible support.

If Del Potro’s career has in fact come to and end, he finishes with an impressive 22 titles and is renowned for one of the most fearsome forehands in the game.

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