WATCH: Tears flow for Juan Martin del Potro in possible final ATP match

Juan Martin del Potro may now have played his last ever ATP match, breaking into tears as his match with compatriot Federico Delbonis approached its conclusion. 

The 2009 US Open champion took on his fellow countryman after receiving a wildcard into the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, his first ATP match since June 2019.

While some may have expected a comeback from him, just prior to the event del Potro hinted that Buenos Aires could be his final farewell.

“I know that people are expecting me to return to tennis, but this may be more of a farewell than a return,” he said in a tournament press conference. 

After putting on a good display for the home crowd, the former world number three found himself serving to stay in the match at 6-1, 5-3 down.

Del Potro struggled to compose himself as he realised the emotional weight of the moment.

The Argentinian was broken in that game before embracing Delbonis at the net.

Del Potro last played Buenos Aires 16 years ago as a 17-year-old wildcard in just his second ever ATP tour level appearance.

He lost to former world number one and 2003 Roland Garros champion Juan Carlo Ferrero that day.

As such, this year’s event presents a poignant moment for fans of del Potro and the sport in general as we see the possible close of a brilliant but heartbreaking career.

Nobody knows what kind of potential the 33-year-old Argentinian could have fulfilled had he not been hampered by serious knee injuries throughout his ATP journey.

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