Juan Martin Del Potro opens up on injury ‘nightmare’ in emotional video | ATP Tour

Del Potro opens up on damage ‘nightmare’ in emotional video

The Argentine tells his private story in new element

November 26, 2024

In a profound assertion he shared Monday on social media, Juan Martin del Potro went into element about how he has coped together with his damage struggles over the previous few years. The 2009 US Open champion spoke overtly in regards to the difficulties of his day-to-day life, the constraints imposed by a battle-weary physique and a need so simple as it’s helpful: to have the ability to stay up for a future with some high quality of life.

The 36-year-old’s phrases got here virtually three years after his final match as an expert. On 9 February 2022, on the clay of the Argentina Open, Del Potro surrendered on the Buenos Aires ATP 250, the place he stated goodbye to his folks. He was not in a position to advance past the primary spherical, successful simply 4 video games in opposition to his compatriot Federico Delbonis. It was of little hassle to somebody who was ready for the torture to finish.

“After I performed the final match in opposition to Delbonis… folks didn’t know and I by no means stated something. The subsequent day I took a airplane to Switzerland and I had one other operation on my knee. It was my fifth one. From there, I by no means made my operations public once more,” he revealed, talking in Spanish. “Within the press convention earlier than the match with Federico, once I stated it will in all probability be my final match, that’s the place I discovered some peace. It introduced an finish to one thing that was at all times there, that ‘Delpo, when will you play once more?’, ‘Will I see you in a match once more?’ 

“I couldn’t take the ache in my leg anymore. I instructed myself I wanted to do that beneath the radar, in secret… If it really works, I’ll announce that I’m coming again.

“I went to Switzerland, I used to be there for 2 months indoors in a village close to Basel. They operated on me, I did the rehab and it didn’t work. After two and a half months they stated, ‘There’s one factor left, we’re going to function on you once more.’ The sixth time! Afterwards, I went to the USA, I continued with the rehab and I used to be attempting therapies between operations… I will need to have had over 100 injections in my leg, in my hip, in my again… They injected me, they took stuff out, they analysed me, they burnt my nerves, they blocked my tendons… Struggling that I’ve daily. And it’s been like that ever since that remaining day with Federico, to not point out the earlier two years for the reason that day of my damage. That match was to say, ‘Ciao, tennis.’ I not have any hope of enjoying once more as a result of my physique received’t permit it.”

It was a continuing battle for a participant destined to outline an period on the ATP Tour, on the mercy of a physique that prevented him from discovering any consistency. The previous No. 3 within the PIF ATP Rankings, tormented by wrist and knee accidents all through his profession, by no means managed to shake off the burden most feared by any athlete. It might eat away at him as he looked for an answer he would by no means discover.

“After I had my first operation, the physician stated to me, ‘In three months you’ll have the ability to play once more.’ That was in June 2019. I’d signed as much as the tournaments in Stockholm, Basel and Paris as a result of the physician instructed me to enroll as a result of I’d be prepared in time to play. I haven’t been in a position to climb a stairway pain-free for the reason that first operation. The every day journey I make to Tandil, which is 4 hours, I’ve to cease midway and stretch my legs. It typically hurts once I’m sleeping. If I flip onto my facet I get up as a result of I get taking pictures pains that are actually unhealthy. It’s like an limitless nightmare. On daily basis I proceed to search for options, docs, options. I nonetheless haven’t discovered something. It began with that first operation. Each time I give it some thought, it actually brings up plenty of unhealthy feelings. It makes me really feel indignant, distressed, powerless… However I can’t change it.”

In that fixed state of anguish, Del Potro has chosen to talk out and share his story, looking for assist from individuals who can establish together with his state of affairs, maybe a light-weight on the finish of the tunnel which will give him hope.

“I really feel like I’ve to let you know all how I’m as a result of it does me good. I’ve at all times had a reference to the followers and possibly this message will encourage or assist different folks. As I’ve stated, my every day life is just not what I would like it to be. I used to be a really lively man, who actually favored enjoying sport, not simply tennis. All of the sudden, they invite me to play soccer and I’m the one who simply brings the maté [an Argentine infusion] and sits on the sidelines. Or they play padel and I video it. To me that is horrible. Additionally, on the sporting facet, my ardour for what I at all times favored doing, which was enjoying tennis, has been taken away from me.

“The obstacles that may seem within the street, comparable to accidents, that are probably the most tough factor for an athlete, are one factor, however the emotional ache is one other factor altogether. I felt very highly effective and powerful when it comes to going through the obstacles that appeared in my method and that I’d at all times defeat them, inside motive. I used to be sturdy, however ultimately I realise that I’m unsure if I’m that sturdy. I really feel just like the knee problem defeated me.”

Nevertheless, the need to compete that lives inside him drove him to the farewell from tennis he at all times would have wished: on the court docket, with a fantastic ambiance and a legendary opponent on the opposite facet of the web. As a lot as his every day limitations will permit, Del Potro is making ready for a goodbye consistent with his stature. On Sunday, surrounded by his folks in Buenos Aires, he’ll tackle probably the most embellished participant of all time, Novak Djokovic, in a farewell exhibition match.

“I wish to be nearly as good as doable for it, as match as doable,” stated Del Potro. “However it’s an occasion, it’s a present to say goodbye. There’s no going again now.

“I believe that Djokovic is the crowning glory, he was very beneficiant in accepting the invitation. For me, other than being a private second for me, I wish to give him plenty of love and from the folks. I’d like him to take the very best reminiscences of Argentina and his Argentine followers. If, not less than for one, two or three brief hours, I can have some peace in my leg and luxuriate in one thing on a tennis court docket for the final time it will be wonderful. And having the ability to offer you all, together with Novak, an attractive second, with love and affection, and for you all to have good reminiscences of that night time.”

This story has been translated from ATPTour.com/es.