Juan Martin del Potro is returning to a special tennis court. The retired Argentine tennis player is making a comeback at the US Open, where he played at the Stars of the US Open alongside fellow legend Andy Roddick. It proved to be an emotional moment for del Potro, who got to relive some of the most special moments of his career.
In an interview with ¡HOLA!, Del Potro discussed his return to the historic US Open tournament, where he memorably won the 2009 title, defeating Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
"For me, it's always special to be in a place where I was very happy and had some of the best memories of my career, so I enjoy every minute I'm in this place."
He also talked about how special it is to reunite with his old friends. "It's very special to remember old friends, former colleagues, and tennis players and spend some time together. It's always a nice excuse to meet again."
His relationship with Novak Djokovic
Del Potro also discussed one of his most special tennis relationships, opening up about his friendship and the respect he holds for Novak Djokovic. Over the past weeks, rumors have been swirling about them, with many experts believing that del Potro could join Djokovic's team in some capacity.
While he didn't confirm or deny the rumors, he made it clear that Djokovic is one of the people he respects the most. "For me, Novak is a very special friend," he said.
"I'm always going to be there for him, no matter what he needs. I'm forever grateful to him because he came to play my farewell match in Argentina, and I know how complicated his schedule is. He knows he can count on me for anything, whether he needs my experience or to share something in a tournament."
When it comes to his US Open favorites, he mentioned Carlos Alcaraz and some of the leading players on the ATP charts. "If Djokovic plays, I'd like him to win," he said.
More details about the US Open
The US Open is one of the most important tennis tournaments in the world, played on hard courts in Queens, New York. It's one of the oldest, having an important history for players, marking the fourth and final of the Grand Slam tournaments.
The tournament begins on the last Monday of August and runs through two weeks. As of this writing, players like Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, and Aryna Sabalenka are still in the running for the title.
Interview by Harold Diaz.