Del Potro pens heartfelt letter to late father

The New Year kicked off with some tragic news as it was announced that Daniel del Potro, the father of former World No.3 Juan Martin del Potro, passed away on Monday at the age of 63.

Del Potro senior underwent a heart operation in mid-December 2020 and his health had deteriorated ever since. A reclusive figure, he had accompanied Juan Martin across Argentina during his junior days as the young man tried to find his footing on the hectic ATP Tour.

Taking to social media, Juan Martin posted an emotional letter he had written for his father and shared it with fans on Tuesday.

“You’ve left us here with a broken heart, but we know that you are resting in peace like you deserve," the 2009 US Open champion wrote. "Now you have joined your other angel, and I ask that you please watch over my mom, my sister and me from above.

"You are our true and only champion. Thank you for raising me with values, with honesty, with sacrifice and for doing the impossible for me to be able to achieve my dream of being a tennis player. I don’t know how I’ll live without your presence, but I’ll definitely apply everything that you taught me to never give up. I love you pa!!”

We at TennisUpToDate offer our condolences to Juan Martin, as commiserations have poured in from fans and fellow players all over the world.