Argentinian tennis great Juan Martin del Potro was bid farewell from the sport in an emotional exhibition match against longtime rival Novak Djokovic. The two veterans shared a tearful embrace at the net after the match, with del Potro emerging victorious, winning 6 - 4, 7 - 5. In a final act of "ultimate respect," as described by social media account The Tennis Letter, Djokovic surrendered the final point, allowing del Potro to hit the match-deciding forehand winner.

A Touching Farewell between Tennis Legends

Emotional Embrace at the Net

After the intense match, Djokovic and del Potro linked arms in the middle of the court to wave goodbye to the crowd. This emotional scene was a testament to the respect and admiration they held for each other. Del Potro's victory was not just a win on the court but a moment of celebration for his career and the impact he had on the sport.The Tennis Letter's description of the moment, "Juan Martin del Potro and Novak Djokovic are both in tears as Juan wins his farewell match. They share a beautiful hug at the net. Delpo crying as Novak embraces him. What a moment between legends," captured the essence of the event. It was a moment that will be remembered by tennis fans around the world.

Champion in the Face of Adversity

Del Potro will always be remembered as a champion, having broken through during a period of complete domination from tennis' Big Three. Between 2005 and 2012, he was the only player outside of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer to win a men's major. His victory in the 2009 US Open, where he had to defeat Nadal and Federer in the semi-final and final, was a significant achievement.However, his career was marred by a string of injuries. In 2018, he fractured his right kneecap at the Shanghai Masters, and in 2019, he damaged his knee again during the Queen's Club Championships. These injuries took a toll on his game and forced him to retire from the sport.Just last week, del Potro made an emotional post on social media to share the details of the mental and physical toll he had endured over the years. He said, "My daily life isn't what I would like it to be. I can't play football, I can't play padel (tennis). It's terrible. They took (from) me the chance to do what I loved the most, which was to play tennis."

Dealing with the Aftermath of Injuries

After his first surgery in June 2019, the doctor told him he would be able to play in three months. He even signed up for three indoor tournaments at the end of the year. But since then, he has never been able to go up a set of stairs without pain. The pain often wakes him up at night, making it difficult for him to sleep."It's like a never-ending nightmare that I'm trying daily to find solutions and alternatives for, but I can't find them. It all started with that first surgery... every time I think about it, it stirs up so much bad emotion. It makes me really angry, very frustrated, but I can't change it," he said.Del Potro, now 36, last played a professional match in Argentina at the start of 2022. He has had eight surgeries and has consulted doctors from around the world. Some have suggested getting a prosthesis to regain some quality of life, while others have advised him to wait until he is 50."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 times I have to fake it and put a good face, but many times I feel terrible," he said. "Every day when I wake up I have to take six or seven pills. Gastric protectors, anti-inflammatories, one for anxiety."