Novak Djokovic was the guest of honor at Juan Martín Del Potro’s farewell. The Argentine, one of the greats of recent decades, hung up his racket on Sunday at the age of 36 after an emotional exhibition match followed by around 15,000 people at the Parque Roca Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Although, obviously, the result didn’t matter much, ‘Delpo’ bid farewell with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over the most successful player in history, who He couldn’t help but be emotional when he saw his rival crying after the game.
Winner of the 2009 US Open, double Olympic medalist (bronze in London 2012 and silver in Rio 2016), standard bearer of Argentina’s only Davis Cup in 2016, Juan Martín Del Potro retired after several surgeries on his knees, mainly on the left.
“We said goodbye to a great professional, but a better person. A rare rival but someone who went beyond the courts and developed a great love for each of his rivals,” said Djokovic.
“Tonight is sad for the tennis world, but I feel very happy because we are here to celebrate the career of Juan Martín.. Thanks also to Argentina for this wonderful welcome,” the Serbian added after the meeting.
A video was then shown on four stadium screens with messages of Roger Federer, Emmanuel Ginobili, Martín Palermo, Lionel Scaloni, Carlos Alcaraz, Gael Monfils and Rafa Nadal.
“You are a player and a special person. I hope this is the moment you celebrate. You shouldn’t be sad. We must all move on with our lives. The best is yet to come for you” are the words of the Swiss legend.
“I would like to make a separate paragraph for Novak. In March in the United States I asked him if there was a possibility for him to go to Argentina in a year where he had a big challenge, to win the Olympic Games with a very tight schedule,” Del Potro told the attendees when commenting. how he made the invitation to ‘Nole’.
“He immediately said yes because he wanted to return to Argentina after eleven years to be with me and the Argentinians. He has all the titles in the sport, but Among these behaviors he has the most difficult trophy, which is the love of the people.“Del Potro started with tears in his eyes.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who came and joined me throughout my career. All the love of people has filled my soul all these years“, added ‘the tower of Tandil’.
“I am grateful to everyone who accompanied me to this final challenge, and I am also grateful to the athletes and sportsmen, now former colleagues, who left their message on this special day.. Finally, a special mention for all my family and my people who have been with me from a young age till now. And I promise you that I will end my career and leave happy,” concluded ‘Delpo’.
In short, it’s an inspiring and emotional tribute It further highlights how short Rafa Nadal did a few days ago.whose ceremony was widely criticized for not living up to a tennis legend.
Source: La Verdad
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