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Three years ago, Juan Martin del Potro defeated Rafael Nadal in the US Open semi-final and lost the title clash to Novak Djokovic. The 2009 US Open champion suffered two severe knee injuries after that and underwent surgeries, not competing since Queen's 2019.
Del Potro visited his beloved Major on Tuesday, watching some of the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium and hitting with John Mcenroe on the practice court. Juan Martin underwent the fourth knee surgery in March in Chicago, and he feels optimistic about his comeback, targeting the following season as the return date.
The Argentine is not ready to call it a career despite constant knee troubles in the last couple of years, deciding to take the eighth surgery overall since 2010 and extend his tennis journey. After showing his best tennis and becoming a Major contender in 2018, the Argentine fractured his right kneecap against Borna Coric in Shanghai 2018.
Juan Martin del Potro underwent four knee surgeries since June 2019.
Next February, Del Potro returned in Delray Beach and played only five tournaments and 12 matches before experiencing the same injury against Denis Shapovalov at Queen's in June!
Juan Martin underwent surgery in Barcelona a couple of days later and returned to the practice court for a slow comeback. The pain would not go away, though, and the Argentine had to skip the last year's Australian Open for the fifth time in the previous six years!
Juan Martin underwent surgeries in January and August 2020, and the fourth and hopefully the last came this March. The Argentine hopes to play injury-free and chase notable titles again if his knee endures the efforts. "The knee is much better for now.
I'm still recovering, but I'm on the practice court, which is positive. I'm looking forward to being ready in a couple of months. If everything goes well, I will make a return in 2022. I had a great opportunity to hit with John McEnroe.
It's one of the reasons I came here. I'm so happy to be back at my favorite tournament. I'm also excited about my return; I can not wait to compete again. I love challenges, and the latest injury has been my biggest challenge in a career; I'm trying to get back despite the massive pain that I had in my knee.
I believe in myself and trying to leave it in the past. It's also a message for kids and people worldwide that they should never give up following their dreams; that's what I'm doing.