Del Potro admits retirement announcement may come soon

Juan Martin del Potro has admitted he could soon be announcing his retirement from professional tennis as he continues to struggle with knee problems.

The 2009 US Open champion has not played on the circuit since 2019 and has endured an injury-hit career, although is due to play in the Buenos Aires Open this week followed by the Rio Open.

However, speaking ahead of his match against compatriot Federico Delbonis on Monday, Del Potro conceded he is likely to be in the closing stages of a 17-year professional career

"It might not be like that and maybe it's more of a farewell than a comeback," Del Potro said in an emotional press conference.

"Lately I have been doing too much effort to continue playing, but I've been living a nightmare with my knee.

"For many years, I have been trying alternative treatments and doctors and different ways to fix it, but I have not been able to do it.

"But I never imagined retiring from tennis without having a chance to say goodbye on the court - and I couldn't find a better tournament for it than the Buenos Aires Open."

Turning professional in 2005, Del Potro claimed what would prove to be the most notable triumph of his career four years later when he beat Roger Federer in the US Open final at Flushing Meadows.

He also won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics, beating Novak Djokovic to clinch it, and followed that up with a silver in the 2016 Games after losing to Andy Murray in the final.

Del Potro reached a highest world ranking of No. 3 in August 2018, but has undergone four knee surgeries since June 2019 which have kept the 33-year-old on the sidelines until now.

Andy Murray will skip the French Open and the whole of the clay court season as he plots his course through the rest of 2022.