Bill Simons
How could such a massive man, who unleashed such thunderous forehands, be so kind and gentle?
Along with Arthur Ashe, Guga Kuerten, Yannick Noah and Rafa Nadal, Juan Martin del Potro was one of the most soulful players the ATP has produced.
He didn’t hit forehands, he cracked them like no other: “Wham! Bam! Blast!” Then suddenly he’d hit the most delicate of drop shots.
But what struck us most was his humility, grace and goodness. He waited around a US Open locker room for an hour just to give James Blake, his defeated opponent, a hug. His kindness touched everyone, from kids in Andean villages to the Pope in the Vatican. A voice from the other side of the Indian Wells press room called out, “Oh, he’s just a big teddy bear!”
While he scored wins over all the best and rose to No. 3, the 2009 US Open champ consistently fell to one foe – his body. He’d score a mighty win, then suffer crushing injuries to his wrists and knees, then endure marathon rehabs. From Chicago to Buenos Aires, experts had few answers. His 6’ 6” body seemed to be in constant rebellion.
Now, in Argentina, “The Tower of Tandil” may have fallen for the last time. The gentle giant who, along with Roger and Rafa, was once among the most beloved active players on the circuit, has retired.
After Juan Martin won his first major in New York 13 years ago, Federer said Delpo and Blake had the best forehands in the game. Everyone imagined this was just the beginning. “I have new opportunities in the other Slams to win, because I did it here,” said the then 20-year-old Delpo. “I beat Nadal, Federer and many good players – maybe I can do one more time.”
But he never did.
In 16 years on the circuit Delpo claimed 22 titles, won $26 million and rose to No. 3. In 2018 Americans were elated by his quarterfinal battle with Dominic Thiem on an intimate US Open arena. Inside Tennis wrote, “Today the Grandstand seemed more like a court at the Buenos Aires Open than the US Open. Del Potrians – many in Argentinian blue – rocked the intimate, fan-friendly enclave. Rarely has such an appealing player emerged out of South America or, for that matter, any continent.”
But here was an athlete who was to be robbed of his destiny. At the 2009 US Open he overpowered Roger in five memorable sets to break Roger’s 40-match tournament winning streak and grab the title. And then he wept. Surely he was bound to be No. 1. But all those injuries, botched surgeries and flawed comebacks plagued him. The power-meister was never the same. His backhand, once such a considerable force, now was merely a shadow. He didn’t win more Comeback Player of the Year Awards than titles – it just felt that way.
But all the while, fans stuck by the uncomplaining, gentle soul who never gave up. We noted Delpo’s awe when he met his fellow Argentinian, Pope Francis, in 2013. We were stunned when someone stole his cherished rosary in Paris, and reports emerged that his late father and financial advisor stole $30 million from him.
But then we applauded when Delpo paid his coach for a year even when he was off the tour. And what joy his fans felt in 2016 when he beat Djokovic and Nadal in Rio en route to the Olympic silver medal in singles, and then led Argentina to its first ever Davis Cup championship. Plus, he won Indian Wells in 2018.
All the while, many hoped Delpo would once again return. Inside Tennis claimed that if there was any “Delpoetic justice” in this world, the Argentine would again prevail. Similarly John Wertheim suggested, “If there is any karma in tennis, Juan Martin should be winning majors again.”
This year Del Potro had hoped to use tourneys in Buenos Aires and Rio to rise again. Instead, tears fell. As he wept, the 33-year-old told us, “To be honest, I just want to be able to sleep without pain after two years…I feel like I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I want to live in peace.”
In the first round of the Buenos Aires Open, he bravely fought his fellow Argentinean Federico Delbonis. “Ole! Ole! Ole! Delpo! Delpo!” chanted the adoring crowd. But after his 6-1, 6-3 loss, the great man kissed the net. Retired athletes are said to hang up their sneakers. But Delpo tellingly draped his iconic headband on the Argentinean net.
Seemingly the warrior was done. And we were left to ask many “what if” questions. Our minds were flooded with memories of the power blasts of a Slam winner and we reflected on the gracious presence of a gentle man and a career cut terribly short.
For the moment a simple sentiment reigned in tennis. In the hearts of all those who love the sport, for one poignant moment there was a touching and almost universal sympathy for the Delpo.
