Juan Martín del Potro, the former US Open champion, bid an emotional farewell to tennis after playing his final exhibition match against Novak Djokovic in Argentina.
The 36-year-old Argentine, who won his only Grand Slam title in 2009, faced numerous injuries throughout his career. A serious knee injury in 2019 left him with ongoing pain, and he played his last official tournament in 2022. However, Del Potro made a special appearance in Buenos Aires for “The Last Challenge,” where he faced his longtime friend and rival, Djokovic.
In front of an audience of about 15,000, Del Potro triumphed in the match, winning 6-4, 7-5.
During the match, Juan Martín del Potro was visibly emotional, shedding tears on multiple occasions.
At the end of the match, he shared a heartfelt embrace with Novak Djokovic. Del Potro then placed his signature bandana, which he had worn throughout his career, on the center of the net as a symbolic gesture.
Djokovic praised Del Potro, saying, “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love Juan Martín del Potro.”
He added, “Juan Martín is an inspiration to all of us, and his greatest triumph in life is being such a remarkable person.”
A video tribute to Juan Martín del Potro featured several tennis stars, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Gael Monfils.
Del Potro made history in 2009 by defeating five-time defending champion Federer to win the US Open. He reached the final again in 2018 but was defeated by Novak Djokovic. Known for his powerful forehand, Del Potro also earned two Olympic medals: a bronze in 2012 and a silver in 2016.
Over his career, he won 22 ATP singles titles and reached a career-high world ranking of No. 3.
However, injuries significantly impacted his career. After his US Open win, a wrist injury set him back, and in 2019, he severely injured his knee at Queen’s.
In a recent Instagram video, Del Potro opened up about the lasting effects of his injuries, sharing how they have affected his daily life. “My daily life isn’t what I would like it to be. It’s very tough,” he said. “There are moments when I have no more strength. I’m not indestructible. I have good and bad days, but I often have to fake it and put on a brave face, even though I feel terrible.”
He also explained the persistent pain, stating, “Since my surgery in 2019, I haven’t been able to climb stairs without pain. It hurts when I drive and sometimes when I sleep. It’s been a never-ending nightmare.”