Most consider it a matter of national pride to represent their countries at the Olympic Games, and Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro is no exception.

The former World No.3 represented Argentina at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, winning Bronze and Silver respectively. Del Potro was extremely impressive at the 2012 Games in London, but he fell to Swiss Roger Federer in the semifinals. Their match was the longest "best of three sets" tennis match in history, lasting four hours and 26 minutes.

“I thought that was my last chance to win a medal, that it could be my only opportunity," said Del Potro. "I was devastated after losing that match. The next day I was set to play Novak Djokovic for the bronze medal; I thought I had no hope. That night I couldn't sleep, I cried. But when I woke up I felt ready to play, because I had nothing to lose.”

Del Potro showed no signs of fatigue against Djokovic, prevailing 7-5 6-4 to claim Argentina's first medal of the Games.

“I’m crying but they’re tears of joy,” he said afterwards. “It’s one of the best matches of my career. Words can’t describe it. It’s as big as winning a Grand Slam tournament.

“I felt I had lost everything against Federer, but I won the match and the bronze medal,” said the 31-year-old, who was met with raised eyebrows when he arrived for the medal ceremony.

“Everyone was expecting Djokovic, but instead it was me,” Del Potro said. “Federer asked: ‘What happened? What are you doing here?’ And I told him I’d won. He said: ‘I’m so happy for you, I’m really glad, after our match. How wonderful!’ That is my most vivid memory from London.”

The Argentine would defeat Djokovic again in the first round of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, before losing to Andy Murray in the final.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CC_txiQDuMc/[/embed]