Juan Martin del Potro has announced that he has parted ways with Sebastian Prieto, his coach since 2017. The 2009 US Open, who is still rehabbing with the intent of returning to tennis when it resumes again, said that he agreed to end the longtime partnership so that Prieto could work with Juan Ignacio Londero.
Prieto and Del Potro formed an excellent partnership and the pair had a banner year in 2018, when Del Potro won his first Masters 1000 title at the BNP Paribas Open and later reached the final at the US Open.
But the year would end in difficulty as Del Potro fractured his patella in October of 2018 at Shanghai. In 2019 Del Potro’s injury woes continued—he underwent surgery in 2019 to repair the right knee after re-injuring it on the grass.
“I asked them for the best option health-wise, not just for tennis,” said Del Potro last June. “As you can imagine, this is a tough moment. It's sad to go through all this again. I didn't expect this at all…hopefully I will have a good recovery. I hope my knee can heal properly.”
Londero is currently ranked 62 in the world. He had a breakout season in 2019, winning his maiden title in Cordoba and reaching the round of 16 at Roland Garros.
Prieto was a 10-time ATP doubles titlist during his career. He reached a career-high ranking of 22 in doubles, and 137 in singles, last playing on the tour in 2010.