Juan Martín del Potro has detailed the “endless nightmare” that is life after tennis, with the 2009 US Open winner admitting he faces “terrible” daily pain.
The Argentinian concluded his injury-riddled career in 2022 after almost three years of inactivity due to a knee problem.
After starting his professional career so magnificently with a Grand Slam triumph in New York, Del Potro struggled to consistently fight amid a succession of wrist and leg problems.
And the former world number 3 revealed the consequences of struggling to stay in the sport, with the 36-year-old taking pills every morning to cope with the pain.
“My daily life is not what I would like it to be,” Del Potro said in a video posted to Instagram. “I can’t play football, I can’t play padel. It’s terrible. They took the chance from me to do what I loved most, which was playing tennis.
“It’s very hard. There are times when I have no 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 a lot of times I feel bad. Every day when I wake up, I have to take six or seven tablets. Gastric protectors, anti-inflammatories, one against anxiety. Then the pills made me gain weight, so I was told to stop eating certain things.
Del Potro fractured his kneecap a first round match against Denis Shapovalov at Queen’s in 2019 and did not play again until her farewell event, the Argentina Open in February 2022.
However, he should play an exhibition clash with Novak Djokovic in Buenos Aires next month, and he hopes to have overcome the worst of his injury hell.
“The doctor told me I would play in three months (after Queen’s injury),” Del Potro continued. “I even registered 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.
“I started my diet, I’m losing weight, I’m working out. I want to arrive at this match in the best possible shape. This is a match to say goodbye. Djokovic was very generous in accepting my invitation. I want to give him all the love I can. If at least for one, two or three hours I can be peaceful and happy on a tennis court, it will be wonderful.
