Juan Martin del Potro: Andy Murray, Stefanos Tsitsipas pay tribute as retirement looms after Argentina Open

Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas have paid tribute to Juan Martin del Potro as he looks to be nearing retirement from tennis. The Argentine came back from a long injury hiatus to play Federico Delbonis in the first round of the Argentina Open on Tuesday. Ad/> But the 35-year-old declared on the eve of the match that he viewed it as more of a farewell than a comeback, with his knee injury still causing him pain.

ATP Buenos AiresDel Potro loses in emotional comeback clash as retirement looms10 HOURS AGO Though he said he would talk to his doctors following the match — which he lost 6-1 6-3 — it seems he is nearing retirement. Murray — who so memorably beat Del Potro to win Olympic gold in 2016 and himself the victim of a litany of injuries during his career — empathised with Del Potro's plight. «He's obviously been struggling for a really long time,» the Scot said.

/> «I'm aware of what it's like to be in that position where you're running out of options and things to rehab. »He was always competing with the top players, always very dangerous. As a player he had a power that very few guys on the tour have ever had.

«He was really popular all around the world, people loved watching him play. It's really sad and I hope he's OK.» Murray also praised the way that Del Potro adapted his game after wrist surgery. «He was a very intelligent player which I don’t think gets spoken about much.