Juan Martin del Potro said goodbye to tennis after a farewell exhibition match against Novak Djokovic in Argentina.
And, in true exhibition style, del Potro was able to emerge victorious in front of 15,000 fans with a 6-4, 7-5 win over the 24 Grand Slam singles title winner. Del Potro, the 36-year-old who won his sole major title at the 2009 U.S. Open, had his career interrupted by numerous injuries. HE played his final official ATP Tour match in 2022, also in Buenos Aires.
Del Potro was in tears many times during the match and shared a long hug with Djokovic at the match conclusion.
He then laid his iconic bandana, which he wore throughout his career, on the middle of the net. Del Potro also did the same when he played his last ATP singles match in 2022.
“I do not know a person who does not love Juan Martin del Potro,” Djokovic said. “Juan Martin is an example for all of us, and his greatest victory in life is being a wonderful person.”
While del Potro only won one major singles title, he reached the U.S. Open final one other time, losing to Djokovic. He won 22 ATP singles titles, led Argentina to a Davis Cup title and won two Olympic medals – bronze in 2012, defeating Djokovic in the bronze medal match, and silver in 2016, upsetting the top seed Djokovic in the first round. His record, despite the career interruptions, should receive strong consideration for future induction in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, as discussed briefly here: https://youtu.be/_d3nB4CONEs?si=WejtG0z1i44IEcLs
Del Potro’s career and legacy is written about in depth by Argentine sports writer Sebatian Torok in the book “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” for sale and download here: https://a.co/d/aOaO9wk
Del Potro released a video on Instagram last week, external discussing the long-term impact injuries have had on his body.
“My daily life isn’t what I would like it to be. It’s very tough. There are moments where I have no more strength,” he said. “I’m not indestructible. I have good things, bad things but most of the time I have to fake it and put on a good face, but many times I feel terrible. Since that moment [after surgery in 2019], I was never able to climb stairs without pain. I hurts when I drive, it hurts many times when I go to sleep. It’s been a never-ending nightmare.”
During the match with Djokovic, del Potro wore a patch promoting the company Aleph, the digital marketing company, led by Argentinians Gaston Taratuta and Ignacio Vidaguren, which connects more than 26,000 advertisers with 3 billion consumers in 130 countries worldwide.
