More than two years have passed since that cool Buenos Aires night of February 8, 2022 in which Juan Martin del Potro He played his last official match on the ATP circuit. That very extensive defeat against his friend Federico Delbonis in the first round of Argentina Open The curtain came down on the career of the Tandil native, who returned for that match after an inactivity of 965 days and ended up suffering on the field. Forced by chronic problems in his right knee, Delpo He hung up his racket. Although now he is excited to step onto the court again for a happier farewell.
“I would like to play a farewell game, but in good conditions because the last one I played in Buenos Aires cost me a lot. Emotionally it was very hard because it was difficult for me to move,” he acknowledged during his visit to the Madrid Masters 1000 that is being disputed in the Magic Boxin which he participated in a clinic with David Ferrer.
His words, however, should not be taken as a fact, because that was all Del Potro commented on the matter. He did not say if the idea is underway, if he has already chosen a date and place or which rival he would like to play with. It was just an expression of wish from the champion of the US Open 2009.
“My retirement was a decision made by my body, it was a forced exit from tennis. It was not something prepared. Now I’m coming to tennis events and feeling goodn. But at first it was difficult for me. In Miami I had an event and then I stayed to see Carlitos and I enjoyed it,” he commented about his life as a former player.
And looking ahead, he added: “I’m not sure about being a coach, I enjoy being at home and not having a routine or so many trips. I like being with young people much more and being able to transmit things that I learned and experiences to the little ones. “I like that better, but maybe in the next few years I’ll change.”
Consulted by the present of Rafael Nadalwho, suffering from physical problems for a long time, is going through the last stretch of his career, the man from Tandil reflected: “Rafa is giving himself the pleasure of retiring in his own way and under his conditions. It is something that unfortunately I could not do for my health.” “.
“I think we have to start assimilating that an era of tennis is going to end. Roger is no longer here but his legacy was very marked forever. And now Rafa is saying goodbye. Watching him play and seeing that passion for competing and that energy he has is something unique and I don’t know if there will be something similar in the coming years,” he added.
Del Potro faced the Mallorcan on 17 occasions. In six he took the victory. Which ones do you remember the most?
“The Rio match (the semis of the Olympic Games of 2016, which he won) was emotionally very strong and spectacular, as an Argentine in Brazil and against Rafa. Another one that I remember was the 2009 US Open semi-final,” he said, recalling happy moments.
And he continued: “There is another one in quarters of Wimbledon 2018 I lost it, but at the end we gave each other a hug. It was super emotional and when I see images of that match I don’t care that I lost because that moment is already winning. The result doesn’t matter, because that hug, the emotion, the fans… It was an unforgettable day and those were the great memories I have with Rafa“.
Del Potro won his only Grand Slam in 2009, at the height of the Big 3that trio they formed Roger FedererNadal and Novak Djokovic and that dominated the circuit for two decades. An achievement that the Tandilense greatly treasures.
“Having won a Grand Slam in the best era of those great players has a special value. Now we talk about the Big 3, but between us we always talked about the Fantastic fourwhy Andy Murray He was always the closest to the best in all of history. Any victory against them was of impressive value,” he reflected.
A reference for the new generations, the former world number three assured that both Argentine and world tennis have a bright future.
“Having marked the Argentine boys who are there now is very nice. In Argentina, thank God, there are very good players, but we should not compare them with those who were there before because what they are doing is devalued and it is something super valuable. I like to see Francisco Cerúndolo, Tomas Etcheverry, Sebastian Baez… It is a litter that will be there fighting for many years,” he analyzed.
And he predicted: “I love it Carlos Alcaraz because he has a freshness and naturalness when walking around the track that makes him look like a 30-year-old guy who has been on the circuit for ten years, and he is super young. Your face to face against Jannik Sinner It’s going to be very good for tennis. A rivalry that this sport always had is going to be created. First it was Agassi-Sampras, then Roger-Rafa, then Novak. And now it will be the two of them.”