Juan Martin del Potro played his final match this week, having endured several serious injuries in recent years. His story is a heart-wrenching one for his adoring fans as one of tennis' brightest stars faded away due to his body constantly failing him.

A Tennis Legend's Struggle and the Unanswered Question

Del Potro's Injury Struggles

Juan Martin del Potro has faced a long and arduous battle with injuries. In recent years, he has struggled with multiple serious issues that have hindered his tennis career. His knee, which he had surgery on five times, continues to cause him pain. Even after his final match in 2022, he still suffers every day. This is a testament to the toll that tennis can take on a player's body.The 36-year-old achieved remarkable feats despite his injuries. He won the US Open in 2009, snapping Roger Federer's five-year unbeaten streak at the tournament. He also reached the final at Flushing Meadows once more in 2018, only to lose to Novak Djokovic in straight sets. These moments showcased his talent and determination.

Advice Not Sought

One tennis legend, Jimmy Connors, has expressed confusion over why del Potro did not seek his advice during his injury struggles. Speaking on his Advantage Connors podcast, Connors looked back on del Potro's career with his son Brett Connors. He couldn't understand why del Potro didn't reach out to an experienced player like himself who had been through similar injuries.Connors shared his own experience, saying, "I remember you talking about him years and years ago, especially when he won the US Open. How you liked the way he played and his style and the kind of guy he was and all of that. But why don't these guys who have problems like that, come to an old guy like me who's been through it all, and knows about all that? Has the experience, and knows what it takes for an athlete, especially a tennis player, to get better, and to be able to do that."The eight-time Grand Slam champion emphasized that if he were in del Potro's position, he wouldn't hesitate to ask for advice. He believes that taking advantage of the knowledge and experience of others can help athletes overcome their challenges.

2018 US Open Run

In 2018, del Potro made a remarkable comeback. After injuring his wrist in 2014 and being out of action for two years, he returned in February 2016. In the next year or so, he won an Olympic Silver medal, the Davis Cup title, and reached a Grand Slam semi-final. His achievements during this time were truly impressive.The 6ft 6 giant began the year by winning his first-ever Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating Federer in a big final. He then made it to the semi-finals at the French Open and reached the last eight at Wimbledon, continuing his strong Grand Slam form.At the US Open, he made his second Grand Slam final in New York, nine years after his first. His journey to the final was a fairy tale, showing his drive and perseverance in the face of adversity. However, he eventually came up short against Djokovic.After this, he never reached the quarter-final stage of a Grand Slam again. His final match was at the 2022 Argentina Open, where he lost to Federico Delbonis. But he left tennis with his head held high, leaving a legacy to be proud of.