Juan Martín del Potro, once a towering figure in tennis and a beloved champion, has shared a heart-wrenching account of his life after retiring from the sport. In an emotional revelation, the former US Open winner disclosed the daily battle he faces with chronic pain, leaving fans stunned and empathetic toward his struggles.
“I haven’t run since I was 31,” del Potro admitted, describing how his condition has deteriorated since leaving the professional tennis circuit. “I can’t climb a ladder, I can’t kick a ball, and I never played tennis properly again.”
The Argentine star, who retired prematurely due to ongoing knee injuries, shared that his physical limitations have drastically altered his quality of life. With a bleak outlook on his current state, del Potro questioned his future: “Do I live 15 more years of my life like this so that, at 50, they put the prosthesis on me and live more or less well at 60?”
Del Potro, now 35, revealed that his daily routine involves taking up to eight pills, including anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and medication for anxiety. Despite his struggles, the tennis icon expressed a desire for a pain-free life: “Hopefully one day it will end because I want to live without pain.”
Juan Martin del Potro on Instagram telling the story of how his career had to end way earlier than he deserved.
Strong and emotional.
Tough not to cry. pic.twitter.com/RdTmAQJXr2
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) November 26, 2024
The candid admission from one of tennis’s most admired figures has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow athletes alike, highlighting the often unseen toll of a professional sports career.
