‘A miracle can happen’ – Juan Martin del Potro not closing door after Andy Murray comeback
Juan Martin del Potro has refused to rule out a return to professional tennis after being inspired by Andy Murray’s remarkable comeback but he wants to prioritise being an “active father” to his son.
After fracturing his knee cap in a freak injury sustained at the 2019 Queen’s Championships, 2009 US Open champion del Potro made a return to the ATP Tour for the first time in three years and sparked hopes he may have put his injuries behind him.
However, his return was more of a farewell than a return to the professional tour. An emotional Del Potro was moved to tears, as were the Argentinian spectators, in his opening round defeat to compatriot Federico Delbonis.
Between 2019 and 2022, del Potro underwent a total of four separate surgeries on his right knee. As such, del Potro revealed he endured severe pain even in his daily life.
The ‘Tower of Tandil’ has refused to close the door permanently on a return to the Tour as he has been inspired by Andy Murray’s spectacular comeback after a second hip surgery.
Speaking to StarPlus Latin America, del Potro said “I don’t close that window so that a miracle can happen, as it has happened with [Andy] Murray. Tennis is my passion.
“When we came back from winning the Davis Cup I said: ‘Here’s the cup, now I’m going to sleep peacefully.’ But to get there I had to go through a path of suffering and ugly things.
“I felt it was time to say that I was playing. It was time to put an end to this suffering and this nightmare that I have been living since the day I had the operation.
“I have to heal my leg. How can I not go out for a bike ride with my son? Or to play tennis if he wants one day? I would like to be an active father.”
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