A touched Del Potro: I’m not coming back, after the South American tournaments I’ll say goodbye to tennis for good

Just a few days ago, fans of Juan Martín Del Potro were looking forward to his big comeback, as he was about to return to the courts after a two and a half year break. In yesterday’s press conference, the emotional Argentine announced that he does not consider his starts at the Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro tournaments as a return to tennis, but rather as his dernier. The 2009 US Open winner is likely to end his career after them.

“This is one of the hardest news I have to tell you. Everybody knows and hopes that I am coming back to tennis. But it probably won’t be the case, I will close my career at the next tournaments,” the former world No.3 player, who had four surgeries on his wrist and the same number of surgeries on his right knee, told reporters.

The Argentine great started having problems with his knee in October 2018 when he broke his kneecap at the Masters in Shanghai. After a couple of months, he returned to the courts and featured in five tournaments.

He hasn’t played at all since then. He has undergone four surgeries on his knee, which have not solved his problems. Del Potro can’t get into his ideal shape and, moreover, he is still struggling with a lot of pain.

“I still have the strength to continue my career, but my knee has become a nightmare,” he said in tears. “I tried to find some alternative solutions but nothing helped. I have no idea how to get rid of this trouble. And I want to live without pain.”

The Argentine tennis player will end his career at his home tournament

Del Potro also said he never wanted to end his career without being able to say goodbye to his fans on court. That’s why he accepted wild cards for tournaments in Buenos Aires and Rio di Janeiro, even though he suspects that his 100 percent return to tennis is no longer possible.

“I couldn’t quit the sport without a full farewell, and where better to do it than in Buenos Aires? After this week I’ll see what I do with my future, but I want to live like a normal thirty-three-year-old. Without pain,” he added at the end of the press conference.

The winner of 22 ATP tournaments will play in the Argentine capital next week and is expected to be in Rio the week after. He will face compatriot Federico Delbonis in the first round at his home event. Will this be the last match of his career?

Source: Twitter