"This is heartbreaking" - Sportswriter Jon Wertheim sympathizes with Del Potro on difficulties following retirement

Sports journalist and author Jon Wertheim recently took to Twitter to show his support for Juan Martin del Potro, considering the difficulties the Argentine is facing in his retirement.

Del Potro has been one of the most beloved players over the past two decades thanks to his humble nature and big-hitting game. Despite being plagued by injuries, the Argentine stayed committed to tennis over the course of a 16-year career before deciding to retire earlier this season.

Del Potro, however, has not found retirement easy. In an interview with Argentinian newspaper La Nacion, the 2009 US Open revealed the difficulties he has had to face in coming to terms with this new phase of his life.

"I can’t psychologically accept a life without tennis," revealed Del Potro. "I did not have a gradual transition to the after, I did not prepare, I have no idea what the other athletes did to live this process peacefully."

Upon hearing the sad news, fans and sports pundits all across the world came together to offer their sympathies. Sports Illustrated Executive Editor Jon Wertheim took the opportunity to share an incident from 2017 where Juan Martin del Potro showcased world-class sportsmanship when his opponent Nicolas Almagro dropped to the floor with an injury. The Argentine went straight across the net to console him.

Wertheim commiserated with Del Potro and pointed out that decency in sports was just as pleasurable to fans as all the other stuff.

"This is heartbreaking, esp given what the guy went through (and would subsequently go through)....we all like friction and aggro, but man does this remind us- on the heels of Laver Cup - that sports decency + and collegiality can also trigger the pleasure centers," Jon Wertheim tweeted.