By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday February 5, 2022
The Tower of Tandil told reporters that his comeback may turn out to be more of a farewell.
Photo Source: AP
Juan Martin del Potro’s long awaited comeback is likely to play out as more of a swan song. The legendary Argentine, the 2009 US Open champion, a former World No.3 and a holder of 22 ATP titles, hinted to the press at the Argentina Open that he may end his career in a few weeks – perhaps even this week in Buenos Aires, where he is playing as a wild card.
Del Potro has suffered a plethora of injuries throughout his career, but when he has been healthy he has proven to be one of the most lethal and compelling watches of his generation. Known for his colossal power and his genuine, soulful warmth both on and off court, he has been a fan favorite on tour ever since he became a hot commodity as a 19-year-old, the year he reeled off a 23-match winning streak during the summer of 2008.
“Today I have to be honest so as not to give the wrong message, although in two and a half years I gave messages that were not in line with my reality,” Del Potro said in his native Spanish. "If I'm honest I have to say that I'm not here for a miraculous comeback like on other occasions. I know the limitations I have physically, and we'll see later.”
Del Potro, who has undergone four wrist surgeries (all prior to 2015) and another four knee surgeries (since 2019), said he has had trouble sleeping and expressed the desire to live a normal life when he’s done with tennis.
"I've been sleeping with pain for two-and-a-half years,” he said. “I used to drive three-and-a-half hours to Tandil and now I have to stop to stretch my leg. I don't like it, but it's what I have to do. My fight is about health and winning quality of life.”
The 33-year-old has been drawn to face Federico Delbonis in the first-round at the Argentina Open. He has accepted a wild card to play in Rio, but it isn’t clear if he will play at the event, which begins on February 14.