Del Potro reveals what he needs to be happy: "I feel pain daily"

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The name of Juan Martín del Potro continues to generate admiration and infinite respect among the public. Several months have passed since his farewell match against Novak Djokovic, a total outpouring of affection and love from his audience, a moment of personal realization that served as the perfect culmination to his sports career. Since then, we have seen the player from Tandil here and there, perhaps savoring the absence of the burden that tormented him for so many months... but has he stopped being considered a tennis player? How is he living his day-to-day? Nobody better than himself, from the ATP Rio Open 2025, to confess it.

"After the farewell with Djokovic in December, I felt that I was no longer a professional player, that a new chapter had begun. Before that day, I had always had a slight hope of returning. Tennis was my life. At this moment, I try to understand that I am a former tennis player", stated with admirable frankness by the Argentine, admitting that he will never return to the circuit and that his current battle is different.

"What do I need to be completely happy? To fully heal my knee. As of today, I feel pain every day". Delpo's journey in the desert is not over: his knee shows no mercy despite the thousands of treatments, scientific and experimental, to which he has subjected it in recent years. However, it is a battle fought away from the public eye, one in which, when he approaches, he also embraces: it gives him the opportunity to talk about different subjects, especially those that bring a broad smile to his face.

Delpo.

“Tennis was my life. At the moment I’m trying to understand that I’m a ex-tennis player.

What do I need to be completely happy? To fully heal my knee. I have daily pain”. pic.twitter.com/dABYk11jyN

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 21, 2025

ABOUT RIO, CURRENT TENNIS, AND FONSECA

Present in Brazil, Juan Martín couldn't help but travel back to 2016, when in Rio he had one of the best weeks of his career, defeating Djokovic and giving his country the silver medal in the Olympic Games. "Rio is a very special place for me. I played the Games here in 2016, and I'm very happy to be here. That week was one of the happiest in my career. The first round against Djokovic, the semifinals against Rafa... the medal. We broke the Argentina-Brazil rivalry. That football rivalry never happened to me. The people in Brazil like me a lot, just like Argentinians do with Joao Fonseca", expressed the player from Tandil, not holding back the excitement that the Brazilian brings for the future.

"It's spectacular. He has a very powerful game, with a lot of potential. The speed, his evolution, the way he is improving... he needs emotional support. In Brazil, as in Argentina, people are quick to rate you as the best, but equally quick to say you are the worst. It's very tough", spoke a Delpo who, nevertheless, welcomed the arrival of a South American star... in order to improve how the ATP treats that continent: "If there is a South American star, perhaps the ATP will treat us differently. We have unmatched fans. Argentina, Brazil, Chile... we have passion and tradition".

Many wonder about del Potro's life and, of course, if he will ever dare to coach one of the young promises on the circuit. Regarding the latter, he still has doubts: "Many players call me to ask their doubts, seek advice on serving or hitting forehands. I thought it would be easier to help others than it really is, but I like it. I don't think I'm ready to be a coach yet because I don't want to travel every week", a statement that aligns with the life he is currently leading. "My life is very different now. I have time for myself, for my things. I'm doing some things in Tandil, although I meet with players, do activities with sponsors during tournaments, little by little I also return to tennis-related activities". We miss you, Delpo, and we are eager to hear that your knee, at least, gives you a break.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Del Potro revela qué necesita para ser feliz: "Siento dolor diariamente"