Former US Open champion Juan Martín del Potro has detailed how injuries have taken a toll on his career and the pain he still experiences.
The 36-year-old’s last professional tournament took place in February 2022 at the Argentina Open, when he suggested his career was over after a defeat in the first round. He had not played in the previous three years after fracturing his knee at Queen’s in 2019.
In an Instagram video on Mondaythe Argentinian explained how his injuries still affect him.
“My daily life is not what I would like it to be. I can’t play football, I can’t play padel (tennis). It’s terrible. They took away from me the chance to do what I loved the most, which was playing tennis,” Del Potro said. “It’s very hard. There are times when I don’t have more strength. I’m not indestructible. I have good things and bad things, but most of the time I have to pretend and put on a good face, but often I feel bad Every day when I feel. wake up, I have to take six or seven Protective tablets. stomach medications, anti-inflammatories, one for anxiety Then the pills made me gain weight, so I was told to stop eating certain things.”
Del Potro said his problems began after he underwent knee surgery following his injury at Queen’s. “The doctor told me I would play in three months. I even signed up for three indoor tournaments at the end of the year. Since that time, I have never been able to climb stairs without pain. It hurts when I drive, it often hurts when I fall asleep. It has been a never-ending nightmare.
However, Del Potro said he still has reason to be optimistic. He says he can’t wait to face Novak Djokovic in a farewell match in Buenos Aires next month.
“I started my diet, I’m losing weight, I’m working out. I want to arrive at this match in the best possible shape. It’s a match to say goodbye,” Del Potro said. “Djokovic was very generous in accepting my invitation. I want to give him all the love possible. If at least for one, two or three hours I can be peaceful and happy on a tennis court, it will be magnificent.
At one point in his career, Del Potro looked like he wanted to compete with Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in Grand Slam finals for years. At 20, he used his huge forehand to beat Nadal and Federer. on the way to winning the 2009 US Open. But injuries took their toll on his 6-foot-6 frame and he reached just one additional Grand Slam final, finishing second to Djokovic at the 2018 US Open. silver at the 2016 Olympics, where he met Murray in the final. In total, he has won 22 singles titles, including the Indian Wells Masters in 2018 when he reached a career-high world No. 3 ranking.
