'I will remember his words forever' - When Juan Martin del Potro lauded Novak Djokovic after losing a Grand Slam final

Novak Djokovic had to withdraw from the 2024 French Open due to a knee injury.

Former Argentine tennis player Juan Martin del Potro once lauded Novak Djokovic by stating that the Serb is a friend tennis gave him.

Del Potro, who was known on the tour for his giant stature, astounding power, and kind nature, hung his boots in 2022 after a career full of unforgettable memories and horrible injuries.

He won the US Open title in 2009, defeating Roger Federer 3–6, 7–6 (7–5), 4–6, 7–6 (7–4), 6–2 in the final. Potro also stunned Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the same tournament, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. Del Potro was among the most lethal players on the tour; however, his career was always hindered by injury.

In 2010, the Argentine suffered his first wrist injury, which sidelined him for nine months. With a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, he returned to the top 10 rankings. However, he suffered another wrist injury, missing almost two years of action (2014–15).

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In the 2016 Rio Olympics, he won a silver medal in the men’s singles event and also reached the final of the 2018 US Open. However, his struggles with injuries continued between 2019 and 2022 before he announced his retirement from professional tennis.

He was set to make a potential return to tennis at the 2023 US Open, but his body didn’t allow that. Thus, Del Potro retired from the sport at the age of 33.

At the 2018 US Open final, Juan Martin del Potro suffered a straight-set loss against Novak Djokovic. After the match, he stated that the sport of tennis had given him a friend, who is Novak Djokovic.

“Novak Djokovic is a friend tennis gave me. During the hug he told me I was an inspiration for him and he admired how I came back and beyond the sadness I should feel proud and enjoy how much people love me. I will remember his words forever.”-Del Potropic.twitter.com/lgmCwTQNjs

— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) June 12, 2024

The former Argentine tennis star said, “Novak Djokovic is a friend tennis gave me. During the hug, he told me I was an inspiration for him and he admired how I came back and beyond the sadness I should feel proud and enjoy how much people love me. I will remember his words forever.”

Del Potro faced Djokovic a total of 20 times on the tour, winning four matches and having a success rate of 20%.

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