Juan Martín del Potro, one of the most beloved figures in tennis, recently opened up about the harrowing ordeal he has faced over the past five years due to persistent knee injuries. The 2009 US Open champion shared an emotional 11-minute video on his Instagram account, detailing the extent of his suffering, the numerous surgeries he has undergone, and the profound impact the injuries have had on his daily life. His story is a testament to both his incredible resilience and the harsh reality that injuries can impose on even the most talented athletes.
The Beginning of the Nightmare
Del Potro’s injury nightmare began in 2018 during the Shanghai Masters, where he fractured his right kneecap. This injury marked the start of an arduous journey that would see him undergo multiple surgeries and face relentless physical and emotional challenges. Despite the initial setback, del Potro made a successful comeback to the tour. However, in a cruel twist of fate, he re-injured the same knee during the 2019 Queen’s Club Championships after slipping on the grass. This second injury would prove to be devastating, effectively ending his career at the highest level.
Following the incident at Queen’s, del Potro played just one more professional match. In February 2022, he faced his compatriot Federico Delbonis in the first round of the Argentina Open. It was an emotional occasion, as del Potro had hinted that it might be his last appearance on a tennis court. True to his word, he has not competed since, and his hopes of making another comeback at the US Open in 2023 were ultimately abandoned. His revelations shed light on why: behind the scenes, he was enduring a grueling battle just to regain basic mobility.
The Hidden Struggle: Eight Surgeries and Constant Pain
In his Instagram video, del Potro revealed that he has undergone a staggering eight surgeries on his right knee. The extent of his ordeal was largely unknown to the public, as he chose to keep much of his struggle private. “Nobody knew this, but the day after I played my last match against Delbonis, I took a flight to Switzerland and I had my fifth knee surgery,” he disclosed. This decision to keep his surgeries secret was driven by a desire to avoid constant questions about his return. “People stopped asking me constantly when I would come back and play again. I did all this process secretly, and if it worked, I would announce that I would come back,” he explained.
Del Potro’s attempts at rehabilitation were relentless but often futile. After his fifth surgery in Switzerland, he spent two months in a village near Basel, hoping for a breakthrough. When the rehabilitation efforts failed, he underwent a sixth surgery and continued his grueling recovery process in the United States. His daily routine became a cycle of injections, medication, and pain management. “More rehab, over 100 injections everywhere. Infiltrations… daily suffering. It’s been my life since that match versus Federico,” he recounted.
The Emotional Toll
Beyond the physical pain, del Potro spoke candidly about the emotional toll the injury has taken on him. “It’s very tough. There are moments where I have no more strength. I’m not indestructible. I have good things, bad things, but most of the time I have to fake it and put on a good face. Many times, I feel terrible,” he admitted. This raw honesty provides a glimpse into the psychological battle athletes face when dealing with long-term injuries. For del Potro, the knee injury was more than just a physical challenge—it was a test of his mental and emotional endurance.
He described a daily routine that involves taking six or seven pills each morning, including gastric protectors, anti-inflammatories, and medication for anxiety. The side effects of these medications, including weight gain, added another layer of difficulty to his recovery. “One thing is the physical obstacles, like the injuries that affect all athletes, but the other is the emotional pain. I felt so powerful when facing those obstacles, but after all, I understood that I’m not that strong. That knee beat me,” he confessed.
A Future in Limbo
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of del Potro’s story is the uncertainty surrounding his future. Despite undergoing eight surgeries and consulting doctors from around the world, a solution remains elusive. “There are doctors that tell me that I can put a prosthesis so I can regain some quality of life. But others tell me I’m too young for a prosthesis. They tell me to wait until I’m 50,” he revealed. This leaves del Potro in a painful limbo, unable to run, climb stairs, or even kick a ball. “Since I was 31, I can’t run, I can’t climb stairs, can’t kick a ball, never played tennis again. I need to wait 15 years more of this? It’s terrible. I hope this will finish someday because I want to live my life without pain,” he said.
A Farewell Match and a Tribute to Resilience
Despite the bleak outlook, del Potro has one final moment on the tennis court to look forward to. On December 1, he will face his friend and former rival Novak Djokovic in a farewell exhibition match in Buenos Aires. This match is more than just a formality—it is a chance for del Potro to say goodbye to the sport he loves, surrounded by fans who have supported him through every triumph and setback. “I want to arrive at that match in the best shape possible. It’s a match to say goodbye. Djokovic was very generous in accepting my invitation. I want to give him all the love possible. If, at least for one, two, or three hours, I can be in peace and happy on a tennis court, it will be beautiful,” he said.
A Legacy of Courage and Inspiration
Juan Martín del Potro’s career has been marked by extraordinary highs and devastating lows. From winning the US Open in 2009 to battling career-threatening wrist injuries and now enduring a never-ending knee nightmare, his journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. While his playing days may be over, his story will continue to inspire athletes and fans alike. His honesty about his struggles reminds us that even the strongest champions face battles that go beyond the court, and his farewell match against Djokovic will be a fitting tribute to a career defined by courage, perseverance, and an unbreakable will.