Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Argentine Beats Novak Djokovic In Farewell Match

Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro emotionally retired from tennis after an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic in Argentina. The 36-year-old, who won his only major title in 2009, faced numerous injuries throughout his career, including a knee fracture in 2019 that caused him daily pain. He played his final tournament in 2022. In "The Last Challenge" in Buenos Aires, Del Potro won the match 6-4, 7-5, in front of about 15,000 fans. He was visibly emotional during the match and shared a heartfelt hug with Djokovic afterwards. Del Potro laid his iconic bandana on the net as a symbol of his farewell. A video tribute featured tennis legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal celebrating his legacy. Del Potro also earned two Olympic medals and won 22 ATP singles titles, reaching a career-high ranking of number three in the world.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 3 December 2024 12:40 pm

Tennis exhibition match Juan Martin Del Porto vs Novak Djokovic photo gallery: 1

Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Novak Djokovic, left, embraces Argentina's Del Potro | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, embraces Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro at the end of an exhibition tennis match in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Tennis exhibition match Juan Martin Del Porto vs Novak Djokovic photo gallery: 2

Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Argentina's Del Potro kisses the net | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro kisses the net at the end of an exhibition tennis match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Tennis exhibition match Juan Martin Del Porto vs Novak Djokovic photo gallery: 3

Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Djokovic, right, embraces Juan Martin Del Potro | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, right, embraces Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro at the end of an exhibition tennis match in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Djokovic and Del Potro | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro react at the end of an exhibition tennis match in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Tennis exhibition match Juan Martin Del Porto vs Novak Djokovic photo gallery:

Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Gabriela Sabatini, center, poses with Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Former tennis player Gabriela Sabatini, center, poses with Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro, right, and Serbia's Novak Djokovic prior to an exhibition tennis match in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Tennis exhibition match Juan Martin Del Porto vs Novak Djokovic photo gallery: Gabriela Sabatini

Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Gabriela Sabatini and Juan Martin Del Potro high-five | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Former tennis player Gabriela Sabatini and Juan Martin Del Potro high-five during an exhibition doubles tennis match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Gisela Dulko in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Tennis exhibition match Juan Martin Del Porto vs Novak Djokovic photo gallery: 5

Juan Martin Del Porto Retires: Juan Martin Del Potro returns the ball alongside Gabriela Sabatini | Photo: AP/Gustavo Garello

Former tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro returns the ball alongside Gabriela Sabatini during an exhibition doubles tennis match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Gisela Dulko in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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