Tennis
Del Potro is shocked: ‘I can’t climb stairs and run because of pain’
Juan Martin del Potro has opened up about his health following the two serious leg injuries that led to an early retirement and a difficult life.
THE Juan Martin del Potro He retired not because of age but because of the serious injuries he had sustained in recent years.
The former ATP Argentina No. 3 suffered a fractured patella in Queens in 2019 and when he returned he suffered the same injury. Though struggling to recover, he was unsuccessful and only competed once more, at his bye in Buenos Aires earlier this year.
Speaking to his hometown media, the 34-year-old veteran revealed that the excruciating pain even prevents him from playing tennis.
“Today I can only walk. I can’t walk on a treadmill, I can’t climb stairs without pain. I can’t even drive long distances without taking a break and stretching my legs. This is my reality. It’s difficult and sad, but I always try to improve my situation. My new challenge is to live my best mental life despite my problems.”
Although he continues with treatments, so far none have helped his recovery, leaving him often mentally challenged: “Recently I was in Switzerland and saw another doctor. The treatment was recommended to me by many tennis players, but I still had no positive results. Imagine how it is after every attempt at treatment or surgery, how upset I am feel when things don’t work go well.as usual i’m wrong i hope i trust every new treatment i try and when it fails the blow is strong.for 3.5 years has been despite many surgeries and treatments, the same thing always happens.”
Ending a career that has spanned 22 tournament titles, two Olympic medals and a win over Roger Federer in the 2009 US Open final has not been easy for del Potro: “My mind can’t accept life without tennis. I didn’t have a smooth transition. I couldn’t prepare and had no idea what other tennis players were doing who were going through that process. I was world No. 3. Then all of a sudden I… both legs broken. And here I am, with nothing.”
“The whole time I was trying to recover like I did with any other injury until I said ‘enough’ in Buenos Aires they could let things come.”
Source: sport 24
