Watch: Roger Federer meets Juan Martin del Potro and shows emotions

MAY 7, 2023 19:27

by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 3159

Watch: Roger Federer meets Juan Martin del Potro and shows emotions

Fourteen years after battling for a Major crown in New York, Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro met on Sunday at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. Two great friends and rivals embraced a hug and exchanged nice words, happy to see each other again.

Roger and Juan Martin met 25 times on the Tour, with the Swiss scoring 18 victories. Del Potro defeated Federer for the first time in the 2009 US Open final to lift his first and only Major crown. The Argentine stole the Basel title from the Swiss in 2012 and 2013 and prevailed in their last match in that thrilling 2018 Indian Wells final.

Juan Martin has been dealing with a knee injury for years, undergoing many surgeries and still wishing to compete one more time at this year's US Open if his body holds up. Federer retired in September last year at the Laver Cup, playing his final match alongside Rafael Nadal.

Roger made a strong start in 2020 and reached the Australian Open semi-final, still ranked in the top-3.

Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro will watch Sunday's Miami Grand Prix.

He lost to Djokovic in straight sets and announced knee surgery a couple of weeks later.

The Swiss maestro needed another in May, ending his season and hoping for a fresh start in 2021. Working hard on his comeback despite setbacks, Roger stepped on the court again in March 2021 in Doha, playing two encounters and taking another break until May.

Federer suffered an early loss in Geneva and headed to Roland Garros with no form or matches in his legs. Roger found the rhythm again and scored three victories in Paris. Happy with his progress, Federer withdrew ahead of the Matteo Berrettini clash to preserve his knee for the beloved grass season.

Roger experienced his earliest Halle exit after falling to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round. He wished for a better run at Wimbledon, although he knew constant knee issues ruined his title chances. The veteran stopped the clock during his 22nd and last appearance at the All England Club.

An eight-time champion toppled Adrian Mannarino, Richard Gasquet, Cameron Norrie and Lorenzo Sonego to advance into the quarter-final as the oldest player in the Open era! Roger met Hubert Hurkacz and suffered his worst Wimbledon loss after having nothing left in the tank.

The Pole beat the Swiss 6-3, 7-6, 6-0 in Federer's first bagel at Majors since the 2008 Roland Garros final. Roger underwent the third surgery a few weeks later with no results. The Swiss struggled to train injury-free and decided to retire at the Laver Cup last September.