Although officially retired from competitive tennis, Juan Martín del Potro had the opportunity to speak at a press conference during the Rio Open, where he reflected on his ongoing battle with pain and shared his thoughts on rising star Joao Fonseca. The Argentine, who played his final ATP match in 2022, marked the official end of his illustrious career with an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic in Argentina in late 2024.
Del Potro’s career, which was plagued by injuries, took a serious turn in 2019 when he fractured his right kneecap for the second time in just eight months. This occurred during a match against Denis Shapovalov at the Queen’s event, leading to multiple surgeries, all of which failed to resolve the issue. In his conversation at the Rio Open, del Potro reflected on the emotional process of accepting his retirement: “After the farewell with Djokovic in December, I felt that I was no longer a professional player, that a new chapter had begun,” he shared. “Before that day, I had always held a slight hope of returning. Tennis was my life. But at this moment, I try to understand that I am a former tennis player.”
The former US Open champion recounted how, after his knee surgery in 2019, his doctor had promised a swift recovery, with expectations that he could return to the tour within three months. “I even signed up for three indoor tournaments at the end of that year. But after that, I could never climb stairs without pain,” del Potro explained, showing just how long the road to his retirement truly was.
At the press conference, del Potro emphasized that despite no longer playing professionally, pain remains a part of his daily life. “What do I need to be completely happy? To fully heal my knee,” he said. “As of today, I feel pain every day.” Despite the setbacks, del Potro continues to show resilience and acceptance, focusing on his future beyond tennis.
Rio, where del Potro once earned a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, holds special significance for him. “Rio is a very special place for me,” he said, recalling the pride he felt representing Argentina. “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 semifinal against Rafa… the medal. We broke the Argentina-Brazil rivalry. That football rivalry never happened to me.” His connection to the city remains strong, reflecting on the unforgettable moments that shaped his career.
During the press conference, del Potro also shared his admiration for Brazil’s 18-year-old tennis prodigy, Joao Fonseca, who has quickly risen to prominence. Fonseca made history by becoming the second-youngest player to win the Next Gen ATP Finals title in December 2024, before defeating world No. 10 Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the Australian Open. The young Brazilian’s momentum continued with a title at the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires, where he became the 10th youngest player to capture an ATP title, ranking among the youngest since the year 2000.
“It’s spectacular,” del Potro said of Fonseca’s potential. “He has a very powerful game, with a lot of potential. The speed, his evolution, and the way he is improving are impressive. But he needs emotional support.” Del Potro spoke from experience, understanding the pressures of being a young talent in the tennis world. “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.”
Del Potro also pointed out that South America has a rich tradition of tennis passion, something that gives players like Fonseca an immense opportunity. “If there is a South American star, perhaps the ATP will treat us differently,” del Potro noted. “We have unmatched fans. Argentina, Brazil, Chile – we have passion and tradition.”
Despite his undeniable potential, Fonseca’s journey in the Rio Open came to a halt when he was defeated by Alexandre Muller in the first round, 6-1, 7-6(4). After his recent victories, a deep run in Rio may have been an unrealistic expectation, but his future remains bright.
Looking ahead, Fonseca will next compete at the prestigious BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he has received a wildcard entry. The tournament will take place from March 5 to March 16, offering another stage for this promising young talent to make a name for himself.