Juan Martín del Potro to return to court at Delray Beach Open 2026 in special Legends event

Juan Martín del Potro will step onto a tennis court once again, though this time far from the grueling demands of the professional circuit. The Argentine star will participate in an exhibition event during the opening weekend of the 2026 Delray Beach Open, a tournament that holds a very special place in his career and takes place just miles from Miami, the city where he has resided for several years. It promises to be a symbolic return, charged with nostalgia and meaning, more than a year after he definitively announced his retirement.

The 2009 US Open champion will be part of the “Legends Event,” an exhibition designed to celebrate the tournament's history and bring fans closer to the figures who defined an era. Del Potro will compete in doubles on February 13 and 15, partnering first with Jesse Levine and then with Tommy Haas. The series of matches will pit them against, among others, the legendary Bryan brothers—considered by many to be the greatest doubles team of all time, with 16 Grand Slam titles to their name.

Delray Beach occupies a unique chapter in Del Potro's history. It was there in 2011 that he conquered his first title since his maiden Major triumph, following the severe wrist injury that had jeopardized his future shortly after his historic 2009 US Open run. That victory marked the beginning of one of modern tennis's most emotional comebacks and cemented his bond with the Florida tournament.

The Argentine returned to compete in Delray Beach in four more editions, the last being in 2019 when he was still World No. 4, proving the event was a constant presence throughout the different stages of his trajectory.

Statistically, Del Potro also left his mark on the tournament. With 14 victories, he is tied for sixth place on the Delray Beach Open’s all-time wins list—a fact that reinforces the significance of his return, even in an exhibition format. For local fans, it will be a unique opportunity to once again witness one of the most feared shots in recent tennis history: his forehand.

The Argentine's return takes place in a special context, as the tournament's main draw will be contested from February 16 to 22 and features an attractive lineup. Confirmed names include two-time tournament champion and current World No. 6 Taylor Fritz, local favorite Tommy Paul (No. 20), and Norway’s Casper Ruud. Ruud, a three-time Grand Slam finalist currently sitting at No. 12 in the ATP rankings, will be making his Delray Beach debut in 2026.

Del Potro's presence comes a little over a year after his farewell match in Argentina, played in December 2024 against Novak Djokovic—an event that officially closed a career defined by immense talent, resilience, and injuries. However, it is worth remembering that his last official ATP match dates back to the 2022 Argentina Open, where he fell in the first round to Federico Delbonis. From that point on, although the former World No. 3 attempted to return to the Tour for one last chapter, injuries prevented a competitive comeback, leading him to choose an exhibition farewell against none other than the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Now, without the pressure of competing at the highest level, the Argentine will be able to enjoy tennis from a different perspective, celebrating his legacy and reuniting with the crowd that always stood by his side.