Juan Martin del Potro performed his final match in his profession in Buenos Aires in February 2022. After almost three years, the Argentine returned to the court docket, competing in entrance of the house followers for the final time earlier than terminating his tennis journey following quite a few setbacks.
The 2009 US Open winner completed the 2018 season within the top-5, attaining that for the primary time since 2013. Juan Martin claimed his first Masters 1000 trophy in Indian Wells and competed within the US Open closing, giving every little thing however falling to his nice buddy, Novak Djokovic.
Two knee accidents and 4 surgical procedures!
A few weeks later, Juan Martin encountered a fractured proper kneecap in opposition to Borna Coric in Shanghai. He stayed away from the court docket till February 2019 and misplaced the rhythm. The Argentine skilled one other horrible luck at Queen’s, beating Denis Shapovalov however injured his knee once more.
This one ended his profession and began a horrible string of surgical procedures and setbacks that prevented him from residing a traditional life! Del Potro underwent surgical procedure in Barcelona a few days later, hoping to embrace one other restoration course of and lengthen his profession.
Nonetheless, issues didn’t go his approach, and he wanted two extra surgical procedures in January and August of 2020. In search of long-term options, Juan Martin underwent a fourth knee surgical procedure in March 2021 in Chicago, wishing to get better and compete on the Olympic Video games in Tokyo.
Regardless of all of the efforts, there have been no indicators of enchancment, and the good Argentine entered the 2022 Buenos Aires Open to finish his profession. He misplaced to his compatriot Federico Delbonis, crying forward of the ultimate sport and saying goodbye to his beloved sport.
Les frissons !
Les larmes de Juan Martin Del Potro et l’hommage des supporters argentins, il y a 2 ans, le 9 février 2022, avant le dernier jeu de sa carrière, au tournoi de Buenos Aires. 😍pic.twitter.com/zhawdHxvvN
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) February 9, 2024
Juan Martin’s untold struggles – A journey by way of ache and perseverance
Del Potro has skilled many troublesome moments since his final skilled match! He opened up about his struggles, explaining his on a regular basis life and lots of difficult moments he has to take care of.
As an alternative of preventing in opposition to his rivals on the court docket, del Potro has handled a much more private opponent – a physique that has refused to heal, even after years of surgical procedures and coverings. Juan Martin’s final match was particularly necessary as a result of it highlighted his effort to play by way of the excruciating ache that had change into his fixed companion.
He wished to place apart fixed questions on his restoration and discover a piece. He boarded a airplane to Switzerland and underwent his fifth knee surgical procedure, nonetheless dreaming about taking part in aggressive tennis once more. The most recent surgical procedure marked the start of one other chapter in his wrestle.
Juan Martin spent two and a half months enduring rehabilitation in a small city close to Basel. Nonetheless, docs recommended the sixth surgical procedure, and del Potro traveled to the USA to get better. The previous world no. 3 endured in numerous therapies, over 100 injections, nerve burns, and tendon blocks!
Your 2018 champion and runner-up.
Congratulations @DjokerNole & @delpotrojuan!https://t.co/3geRmZNXkq#USOpen pic.twitter.com/tyvkIlgmJU
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2018
The predictions following the primary surgical procedure in 2019 had been optimistic. Nonetheless, Juan Martin has but to get pleasure from each day actions with out feeling insufferable ache whereas climbing a staircase, delivering mattress, standing up, or strolling! Del Potro’s life revolves round sports activities, which makes his state of affairs much more difficult.
The Argentine cannot compete in opposition to his associates on a soccer or paddle court docket, sitting on the sidelines and watching or filming. Regardless of his unwavering dedication, the infinite cycle of surgical procedures and disappointments has examined his psychological fortitude, with knee points overpowering him.
What no tennis fan knew, Juan Martin stands at a crossroads of adverse selections and uncertainty! Ruling out one choice after one other, docs have recommended a knee prosthesis to enhance his high quality of life.
Nonetheless, they’ve totally different opinions about when he ought to embrace a prosthesis, with one physician suggesting instant intervention and the opposite ready till he turns 50! Thus, the Argentine born in 1988 is dealing with an enormous dilemma.
Nonetheless, he doesn’t like the choice to dwell with this ache for 15 extra years, searching for aid as a substitute. Juan Martin’s each day routine contains taking as much as eight tablets to manage the ache, irritation, and nervousness. But, he’s desperate to discover a long-term answer to his downside, giving up on taking part in tennis however searching for a traditional life with out ache.
Del Potro shared his story to achieve out to these dealing with comparable or totally different challenges. His emotional message reveals the human aspect of a warrior who has confronted adversity with braveness and resilience. Juan Martin del Potro’s story is a testomony to the complexities of life after sports activities.
It reminds us that even the strongest amongst us have limits and that pursuing bodily and emotional therapeutic requires way more than dedication alone. For del Potro, the battle continues each day. He gave up on the game he adores to hunt an injury-free life with inside peace.
