Thank you, Delpo: this is the farewell you deserved

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There are tears in the eyes of Juan Martín del Potro as he finds the warm embrace of a rival, teammate, and friend, named Novak Djokovic. The scene does not unfold in a locker room, in places that portray the characteristic loneliness of a tennis player. There is a sea of people everywhere cheering for their compatriot, lifting him up, turning the world's thankful shout into applause. In the vastness of Parque Roca, Delpo finds refuge. Peace. It is the feeling he has been searching for over two years, and now he has it: he breathes easy knowing that his farewell lives up to his legacy and impact as a player.

It's the perfect way to end an evening where the outcome was the least important. An unforgettable afternoon with one sole objective: to give back to del Potro a small piece of all he gave us as a player. After years of uncertainty, of cherished but unfulfilled promises (he said he would return to a US Open if Argentina became champions in the Qatar World Cup; the public didn't know, of course, that he had already tried all kinds of unsuccessful surgeries), of sleepless nights, therapy sessions, countless injections, sharp pain, and headaches, Juan Martín del Potro shed tears of happiness. He left his headband on the net, just as he did in his last official match against Delbonis, but his face was different: the agony was over; it was not a goodbye but a relief.

The last point of Juan Martín Del Potro's career 💔

Thank you for making us so happy 🇦🇷
pic.twitter.com/AjLn27ut6r

— Tiempo De Tenis (@Tiempodetenis1) December 1, 2024

Before these scenes unfolded, Buenos Aires witnessed an unforgettable show. Anyone expecting a match similar to those Novak Djokovic and he had in their glory days could dismiss that thought. The Serbian, brilliant, courteous, and aware that the spotlight was on his good friend, let Delpo shine throughout: slowing the ball, aiming at the center in his shots, applauding his opponent's charges, mimicking names like Rafael Nadal at Juan Martín's request, creating show moments with the audience. He was the perfect partner in a dance that combined fast rhythms (direct serves and winning forehands of the Thor's Hammer, making their last appearance), slow rhythms (an exhibition doubles with Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko for several games), and others where applause and silence spoke more than any melody.

Delpo asked Nole to imitate Nadal... and Nole duly obliged 😂 pic.twitter.com/lf7YzbWUCo

— 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚔. A͟O͟¹⁰ (@NoleLondon) December 1, 2024

CLOSING A CIRCLE

After the final embrace at the net, the emotional moment of leaving his headband on the net, and the thunderous ovation at Parque Roca, Juan Martín chose to share the stage with his good friend Nole. That last ovation also served as recognition of the effort by the Serbian, who traveled halfway around the world to be present at his great friend's end. Together, with tears in their eyes, they toasted to another chapter in a story that has moved us over the past decade.

Nole celebrating Delpo's career (in Spanish):
"Very big person, very big friend.
Bravo Delpo for everything!" pic.twitter.com/UAFm87WQ0Z

— 𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚔. A͟O͟¹⁰ (@NoleLondon) December 1, 2024

Lastly, it was time for goodbyes, with speeches from both protagonists that served as the perfect ending to a fantastic evening. An evening that moved us, made us cry, sent us back to the past, and, above all, honored the man who shook the foundations of the Big Three: a giant with a lion's heart who showed us that myths are human, that life doesn't understand perfect stories, and that there's nothing more comforting than leaving a mark despite all the stumbles. Thank you, Delpo: you can finally rest peacefully.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gracias, Delpo: esta sí es la despedida que te merecías