Argentine tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro gestures during a press conference after loosing against Argentine Federico Delbonis during the ATP 250 Argentina Open tennis tournament in Buenos Aires, on February 8, 2022 (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentinian star Juan Martin del Potro has pulled out of the Rio Open, organizers have confirmed. The move all but confirms an unfortunate retirement after a career spanning 18 years.
The 33-year-old returned to tennis for the first time since 2019 for the Argentina Open. He lost 1-6 3-6 to fellow Argentinian Federico Delbonis in the opening round. He admitted that his comeback was “more a farewell than a return.”
“Unfortunately, Juan Martin del Potro will not play the Rio Open,” organisers said on Twitter.
“It was always a dream to have him with us, and we nearly did. We wish him much success in the future. Please know that the tournament’s doors will always be open to you,” they added.
Del Potro fractured his kneecap in June 2019 at Queen’s in London, adding to a long list of injuries in his career.
After his loss on his return to action, del Potro was visibly emotional with the sad end to a glittering career. He said: (h/t Scroll)
“Today I gave everything I had, until the last point. I’m happy because my last game was probably on a tennis court in front of all of you, and not in a press conference.”
The World No. 753 slipped way down the rankings, after undergoing four surgeries on his knee. His career and personality will always be remembered in history. Del Potro beat Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final, his only Grand Slam. He has totally won 22 titles, including the 2016 Davis Cup for Argentina. He has also won an Olympic silver and bronze medal.
Juncheng Shang. the 17-year-old Chinese is set to replace del Potro in the main draw of the Rio Open. The Argentinian will have his held high looking back on a majestic career, where he is the only man to break the Grand Slam dominance of the Big 3. ( when the Big 3 won 68/69 of the Grand Slams!)
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