Juan Martin del Potro retired some time ago but the Argentinian decided to play one last match in front of his home crowd in Argentina and he decided to do it in the company of Novak Djokovic. As he prepares to hang up his racket for good, the former world number three looked back on his career for the press present for the occasion.
A final match full of emotions
Delpo explained that this last match was by far the most special of his career: ” This is a very special day for me, which marks the end of my entire career. It's a unique day for me. I've never had so much anxiety, so many nerves, in my entire career, but the day has come. Novak arrived, he was very generous in agreeing to be with me at this moment, a day that I will always remember. I hope people will receive him as the sportsman and person he is and that we can put on a good show. “
A career halted by injuries
The Argentinian had the potential to do great things but unfortunately for him, a knee injury ruined his chances of having an even more glorious career and despite his best efforts, he was unable to get back in the saddle after years of fighting: ” In recent days, I have opened my heart a little more and told my reality of recent years. I've had a wonderful career. It is very difficult to compete with Nole, to play Grand Slam finals against them, but for me it was a privilege to spend my entire career at the same time as the three greatest players in history. Different things happened that were difficult to deal with, but today is such a special day that I want to enjoy it. I may never have an event as big as this again. It's part of my story, but the good memories and victories I've had outweigh everything else. My story is more unique because of the injuries I suffered. When I was at my best or fighting with them in the rankings, something bad happened to me and I had to start from scratch. It's part of my story and that's what makes it a little more special. “he confessed.
Delighted to have been able to win titles against the big-3
Del Potro was one of the few players who managed to win a Grand Slam during the same era of the three greatest players in history, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The fact of having been able to compete with them remains his greatest pride: “ In this world, everything moves so fast that it's hard to appreciate the moments. In my opinion, it is a great pride to have won important titles at the same time as Novak, Roger and Rafa. They are from another dimension. Novak completed the wheel of our sport, something unique in history. It's very nice to have him by my side and I'm very grateful for what we're going through. These titles, in a few years, I will be able to say: 'I stole them from them and I have them at home‘ “
