Former ATP No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro is unsure what the future holds, but spoke like a man who is hopeful of playing at least one more match at the US Open.
The 34-year-old retired from professional tennis in February 2022, playing his last match at the Buenos Aires Open in his home country. But he shocked the tennis world when he announced his intention to play at this year's US Open for one final time.
Speaking to Tennis.com, del Potro holds the US Open so dear to his heart. Back in 2009, the tournament completely changed the course of his career and his life. He defeated five-time champion Roger Federer in five sets at the age of 20 to win his one and only Grand Slam title.
Since the turn of the year, del Potro worked on his knee with his doctors and fitness trainers to try to relive the thrill and adrenaline of playing this year's tournament. To his surprise, they supported his idea, but sadly his knee was in pain every time he upped the intensity of his fitness training, and made the tough decision not to pursue his return to tennis this year.
"Emotionally it was really difficult for me, because every time that I speak about the US Open, it means a lot to myself. At the beginning of the year, I was talking with my team, with my doctors, trying to see the option to be ready for the Open, at least for the last time in my career."
"They support me with the idea. At the end, every time that I push hard, my leg, and my knee, and I was trying to push hard, the pain increase a lot in my training sessions. At the end, I don't want to make my knee worse that I have it now. So I decide to quit for this year’s US Open."
While he has decided to give this year's tournament amiss, he is still plotting a comeback, which, according to him, depends on whether the different method of treatment will work. In his mind, he is committed, and if his body holds up, he will wholeheartedly return to the scene of his career-altering tournament.
"I'm going to be treating the knee with a different method in the next few weeks. I don't know what could happen next to me. But the US Open means everything for my heart, for my career, for my life. And if there is a small chance to come back and play one day, I will do 100 percent my best to do it."
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