‘Been there myself’ – Andy Murray extends empathy to retiring Juan Martin del Potro

Andy Murray has offered his empathy to Juan Martin del Potro and understands what he is going through, saying he “feels for him” and recognises it “must have been unbelievably difficult.”

It was recently confirmed that 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro will make his first tour appearance since 2019 at the Argentina Open.

However, there was a caveat when del Potro said this could potentially be “more of a farewell” tournament as he considers retirement.

Three-time Slam champion Murray has been in a similar situation himself when he was reduced to tears in a post-match press conference after a tough 2019 Australian Open defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut.

Murray had been struggling heavy with injury and had even considered retirement. However, three years later after Murray has staged a remarkable return to the tour, he overcame World number 21 Nikoloz Basilashvili on the same court at this year’s ‘Happy Slam.’

On del Potro’s potential retirement, Murray said “I hope he’s doing okay. I feel for him. I know it’s an incredibly difficult situation.

“But yeah, like I said, I hope he manages to finish on a positive note with you know, all his fans behind him and a great atmosphere and yeah, and that he’s as pain free as can be.

“I guess the tough times and everything that you go through, it’s not on camera. It must have been unbelievably difficult for him.

“And yeah, I don’t really know what to say. I just, I know having been in that position myself. Oh, yeah, you feel like you’re sort of suffering a lot of the time like, alone.”

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