Juan Martin Del Potroformer world number 3 and champion of the 2009 US Open, shared a moving video on his social networks this Monday in which he recounts the painful process of his recovery after multiple surgeries on his knee and his long road to returning to professional tennis. The publication comes a few days after his expected exhibition with the Serbian Novak Djokovicthe biggest winner in the history of Grand Slam titles, on December 1 at Parque Roca in Buenos Aires.
In the video, Del Potro reveals details of his suffering and the effort to overcome an injury that marked his career. “The day after playing against (Fediero) Delbonis, I took a plane to Switzerland and had surgery on my knee again. That was my fifth surgery,” begins the man from Tandil, who recalled how after that intervention he tried to keep a low profile, away from of the media, to see if his recovery worked. “I was locked up in a town near Basel for two months, I had surgery, I did rehabilitation and it didn’t work”he adds, showing the harshness of his reality.
The former tennis player not only recounted the operations, but also the constant and painful tests to which he was subjected. “They infiltrated me, they took out my tendons, they burned my nerves… a daily suffering,” said Del Potro, who since the accident he suffered in 2019 in the Queen’s tournament against Denis Shapovalov, has not been able to recover his level of competition. “My daily life is not what I want. I was a very active guy, who liked to do sports, not just play tennis,” he confessed, lamenting how he has had to adapt to a new reality, in which he can no longer enjoy activities such as football or paddle tennis.
In the video, Del Potro also refers to the emotional impact who had the injury: “They took away my hope of doing what I always liked, which was playing tennis. It is very difficult to have to worry about everything 24 hours a day,” he expressed, visibly affected. Besides, shared how he deals with the side effects of treatment: “I get up and take between six and eight pills, including a gastric protector, an anti-inflammatory, a painkiller and one for anxiety.”
Del Potro also gave details about his personal frustration during this long process. “I was the guy who was always looking for ways to improve, to move forward. I thought there were no impossible obstacles. But now I realize that there are things I can’t control,” he said with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. “Sometimes I wake up at night, not because of the pain, but because of the helplessness of not being able to do what I like so much,” he added, referring to the constant awakenings due to the punctures in his leg and the intense pain.
Throughout his story, Del Potro also mentioned his constant struggle with doctors and the dilemma over the possibility of undergoing a prosthesis. “I have another big fight with the doctors, who tell me to get a prosthesis and stop fucking to have a better quality of life,” he said. However, the former tennis player expressed his concern about the long process involved in waiting until age 50 to see significant improvements. “Since I was 31 I haven’t run, I haven’t climbed a ladder, I can’t kick a ball. Am I going to spend 15 more years like this?” he asked himself. And he added: “It is a difficult decision, because on the one hand they tell me that at that age I will live well, but on the other, I feel trapped in a body that does not respond to me.”
Del Potro and the impact of the injury on his daily life
The difficulty of leading a “normal” life is reflected in their testimonies about everyday life. “When they invite me to play soccer, I’m the one who carries the mate and stays outside. In paddle tennis, I’m the one who records videos. And it’s not bad, but when you get used to being the center of the field, it’s a very bad blow.” hard,” said Del Potro, visibly moved. Frustration is evident when you remember how little things, like climbing stairs or simply walking, have become almost impossible without pain.
The former tennis player also reflected on the void that the impossibility of playing tennis has left in his life, a sport that has been his passion since he was little. “It’s like a part of me was left there, on the court, and I would never be whole again,” he said. “I have given everything for this sport, but the reality is that my knee won.”
A farewell with Novak Djokovic
The video culminates with a hopeful message towards the exhibition he will perform with Djokovic. “It is an event to say goodbye, there is no turning back,” said Del Potro. “I think the final touch goes to Djokovic, who was very generous in accepting and coming. I am grateful to be able to share a moment like this, to enjoy being on a tennis court for the last time, and that both he and I can give back to fans all the love they gave us over the years,” he concluded, highlighting his gratitude to the Serbian for his participation in what will be an emotional farewell on the field, so that the fans take away good memories of that night. .
The event, which will take place next Sunday, December 1, promises to be a moment full of emotion and nostalgia for all the followers of Del Potro, who faces his final goodbye from professional tennis after a career full of achievements, but marked by pain and resilience.