Del Potro, there is a sensational return to New York for the plurioperato tennis in sight

Delpo, still him. Juan Martin Del Potro, the tennis multi-operator – four surgeries between right and left wrists since 2010, another four on his right knee – the colossus with a forbidden right and clay physique who could have changed the history of tennis, but yes he had to “only” settle for a Grand Slam – the 2009 US Open, won by beating Nadal and Federer one after the other – he is thinking of a sensational rentrée. He wants to play in New York this year, to give himself one last chance in the very tournament that made him great.

A little over a year ago, in February 2022, the official farewell had arrived, amid many tears and many regrets. After 965 days away from tournaments due to a sore kneecap, “Palito” was back on the field in Buenos Aires to greet the fans. Unreservedly defeated, 6-1 6-3, in the first round by his friend Federico Delbonis, Delpo had surrendered, sealing a very noble career – 22 tournaments won, a bronze and a silver at the Olympics, the Davis Cup finally given to his native Argentina , the number 3 achieved in the world rankings – but ravaged by injuries. «I no longer have the energy to continue fighting: the pain in my knee is too strong, now I have to think about how to heal in order to have a normal life – he said, unleashing the global emotion -. If today was really my last game, I’m happy to leave».

Happy but evidently not entirely satisfied, given that at 34, perhaps inspired by the events of the other long-term tennis patient, Andy Murray, and by the resilience of Rafa Nadal, he announced in an interview granted to Argentine journalist Danny Miche that he had resumed his workouts. “I love tennis. It will never be a problem to pick up the racket and see how I feel», said Tandil Tower, together with Daniil Medvedev the tallest (1.98) winner of a Grand Slam tournament. «Physical problems, the knee, are things I work on every day. I’ll give myself a chance, at least until the US Open. It’s a very special tournament for me. I still have time, I’ll go back to training, I’ll see how my leg and knee react and I’ll understand if I can do it or not». The question, in these cases, is the same for everyone: is it really worth it, great Delpo?