"I'm not sad, I'm leaving happy, it has been a dream ending": Juan Martin del Potro, after his farewell in Buenos Aires.
ATP
In a night full of emotions, Juan Martin del Potro officially said goodbye to professional tennis with an unforgettable match. Together with Novak Djokovic, friends, colleagues, and the warm support of the audience, the Argentine shared profound reflections on his career, his rivals and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Mutual recognition between two giants
The tower of Tandil highlighted the presence of Novak Djokovic in his farewell, a gesture that he described as "unforgettable." The Argentine also recalled the human side of the Serbian, with whom he shared countless battles on the court, while thanking the many stars who sent their greetings, such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Emanuel Ginóbili, among others. In his words, he said:
"For me it is a privilege that such athletes and sportsmen remember me and say such nice things. And obviously to have Nole, who everyone knows what he represents for the world of tennis and for the world of sport, here tonight means something unforgettable. I thank you Novak for Rio, for our matches at the US Open, for our careers."
"He was a great professional in the locker room, very funny. There are tennis players who are a little more serious, and others who are more relaxed like him, and that made him super approachable all the time. thank you so much to all my former colleagues!"
A perfect ending
Despite the nostalgia of not having been able to continue playing tennis due to injuries, Delpo did not fail to show his gratitude for the beautiful moment he lived in his farewell:
"That the final point of my entire career, having a racquet in my hand, with Novak and with all of you here makes me very happy."
One of the most touching aspects of his speech was his thanks to the fans and his recognition of the affection he has received throughout his career:
"All the affection from the people, public and fans always filled my soul and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. It was especially necessary when I had to face these great champions whom it was almost impossible to beat."
"I hope that the youngsters can learn something from what we have done on the field and that this journey, with its ups and downs, will serve as a message to all of them," concluded the visibly moved Argentine.
With these words, Juan Martin del Potro not only closes a brilliant chapter in tennis, but leaves an indelible mark as one of the most loved and respected players in the sport.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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