Juan Martin del Potro shared an emotional message to his fans after planning to return to the tennis court at the US Open. A former champion in New York, the Argentine has been sidelined since last February but is yet to officially retire. His hopes of reviving his career now look to be in tatters after admitting that his injury wouldn’t allow him to return.
Del Potro has been sidelined for 18 months after an unsuccessful attempt to return from his ongoing knee injury. The 34-year-old arrived at the 2022 Argentina Open for what fans thought was a comeback but he admitted it would likely be the site of his retirement.
There was hope that the former world No 3 would be seen on a match court at least one more time when he unveiled his plans to compete at the upcoming US Open and started training earlier this year. But Del Potro has now provided a heartbreaking update as he ruled out competing in Flushing Meadows this year and appeared to end all hopes of any type of return.
“As you know, my desire to return to a court as special as the US Open made me very excited. I tried by all means to reach term, but my body does not accompany me 100 per cent to be able to feel comfortable and happy to share, once again with you, a unique moment,” he said in a new statement on Wednesday.
With his chances of returning to competition now lost, the 22-time title winner said he would instead focus on improving the pain in his day-to-day life. Del Potro added: “They also know that the pain I feel does not allow me to still focus on a return.
“I will continue to look for the best alternatives to recover my quality of life. I thank you for the company, the understanding and the messages of encouragement you leave me. I send you a very big hug. I hope to see you soon.”
It’s gut-wrenching news for both Del Potro and his fans as the Argentine has had large periods of his career stolen by injury setbacks. He was able to find his best level again in 2018 – winning Indian Wells, making the US Open final and returning to No 3 in the world – when he hurt his right knee during a match at the Shanghai Masters.
Del Potro returned in 2019, reaching the quarter-final of the Rome Masters and the round-of-16 at the French Open. But there was even more bad luck for the man known as the ‘Tower of Tandil’ when he slipped and fractured his knee cap at Queen’s.
It proved to be a career-ending injury as the 34-year-old was unable to compete again until last year’s Argentina Open where he played through tears as he lost his opening match and admitted it could be his last. Del Potro’s US Open dream provided some solace that he could have the send-off he deserved after an injury-stricken career.
But it emerged in May that the former world No 3 was still unable to “jog or sprint” after returning to training. And his latest update has all but confirmed that Del Potro won’t be seen on a match court again.
