Federico Delboniswinner of the most important point in the history of Argentina in the Davis cup, hung up the racket. The 33-year-old from Azulejo decided to end his professional career, after 16 seasons on the circuit. And he did it with a simple but emotional message on his social networks: “Thank you!!! I was very happy doing what I like.”
“A stage in my life that formed me as an athlete and person mainly is coming to a close. I lived unforgettable and unparalleled moments on and off the tennis court, but it is time to listen to my body that asks me for a truce,” he explained.
And he added: “I have to thank, without a doubt, all the people who supported me and trusted me during all these years. There were many experiences and emotions lived throughout all these years. Today ends a journey of the most enriching moments of my life, but there are going to be more routes to travel.
Left-handed and with a two-handed backhand, he began his professional career in 2007, reached the 33rd place in the ranking in May 2016 and won two ATP titles, Sao Paulo en 2014 y Marrakech in 2016. The highest point of his career, however, was experienced with the light blue and white shirt.
The thing is Delbo -one of those players who became stronger when he defended the national colors on a court- was one of the heroes of that historic and unforgettable consecration of Argentina in the 2016 Davis Cup. In Zagreb, he was in charge of playing the fifth point of the final in view of Croatia and neither the responsibility nor the rival in front of him weighed on him. He played the match of his life and defeated the giant 6-3, 6-4 and 6-2 Ivo Karlovic and sealed the 3-2 that gave the team captained by Daniel Orsanic the coveted Silver Salad Bowl.
“I felt like the Burruchaga of tennis, the one who scored the goal to win the title, but the most valuable thing was the human group that Orsanic built and allowed us to win the series and the previous points, which were very important to achieve the goal,” he commented some time later in an interview with Télam.
And he added: “The Davis was something very desired, very loved by the environment of tennis and sport in general. When we raised the trophy all together to bring it home it was a great moment, I think the best that happened to us.”
Delbonis, who played a total of six series between 2014 and 2016 and had a record of 5-3 in singles, was the only one of that champion quartet who was still active. The Corrientes Leonardo Mayer He lowered the curtain on his career in 2021; Guido Pella, at the beginning of last year; and Juan Martin del PotroAlthough he never officially announced his retirement, he has not played since February 2022 due to an injury to his right knee.
The player from Azul also scored some great victories against great players, including two members of the Fantastic four. He defeated the Scotsman Andy Murraythen two in the world, in the third round of the Masters 1000 de Indian Wells 2016. And in ATP 500 Hamburg 2013in which he started in qualifying, he had the pleasure of defeating in two sets Roger Federerfifth in the ATP, to get into the final, in which he lost to Fabio Fognini. He was one of the seven Argentines who was able to beat the Swiss, one of the best players in history, at least once.
And he was also in charge of lowering – although not officially – the curtain on Del Potro’s career in the 2022 edition of the Argentina Openin a first round match full of emotion, which was played in a stadium bursting with people and which he won 6-1 and 6-3.
“It was a mixed feeling. It was the only game in my career in which I would have wanted to lose,” he commented after that victory.
He himself will also be able to say goodbye to the Argentine public, who have him as a great idol, in the Buenos Aires tournament, because he received a special invitation to compete in the doubles draw with Facundo Bagnis.
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