Juan Martin del Potro’s fans might be disappointed with a recent update. The Argentine tennis star appears ready to officially retire from the sport, a reality that many of his supporters have hoped to avoid. Although he has not officially announced his retirement, del Potro has been out of competitive play since his participation in the 2022 Argentina Open due to ongoing injury issues. His long-standing physical challenges began in 2018 when he fractured his right patella, resulting in recurring pain that has plagued his career.
At 35 years old, del Potro is not ready to leave tennis without one final memorable match. In a heartfelt request, he reached out to tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, asking him to be a part of his career’s concluding chapter. “I have a dream. I want to play my last match in Argentina, and I want you to come,” del Potro expressed. Djokovic, embracing the request, confirmed that he will fly to Argentina to play an exhibition match against del Potro later this year.
During a press conference at the Davis Cup, Djokovic spoke about the upcoming match, praising del Potro’s remarkable contributions to the sport and his vibrant personality. “Del Potro is retiring from tennis with this exhibition match. We all know the impact he has left on tennis in general. He has been one of the most exciting players to watch in the last two decades,” Djokovic said, adding that del Potro’s charisma and likable nature have kept him a beloved figure in the tennis world. The exhibition match, which Djokovic described as a “phenomenal experience,” will serve as a fitting farewell for the former World No. 3.
The match, billed as “The Last Challenge,” will take place at the Mary Terán de Weiss Stadium in Buenos Aires on Sunday, December 1. Djokovic is expected to arrive in Argentina by late November. Fans anticipate not just competitive tennis, but also light-hearted interactions between the two players, reminiscent of their past exchanges on the court.
Reflecting on their relationship, Djokovic and del Potro shared a memorable practice session at the US Open in 2022, where they humorously revisited their past encounters. Djokovic jokingly called his victory over del Potro in the 2018 US Open final one of his “greatest successes.” Del Potro, with a smile, shot back by recalling his own Olympic triumphs over Djokovic. The Argentine defeated Djokovic twice at the Olympics: securing a bronze medal in 2012 and eliminating the Serbian star in the first round of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The upcoming exhibition match in Buenos Aires will not just be a contest of skill but a celebration of del Potro’s illustrious career and his special bond with Djokovic. Fans eagerly await to see how this friendly showdown unfolds, as it will likely mark the end of an era for del Potro.
While many speculate about whether this match is truly del Potro’s final appearance on the tennis stage or if he might still make a comeback, the general sentiment is that this event will provide the closure fans and del Potro himself have been seeking.
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