‘The people’s champion’ - Mats Wilander lauds gutsy Juan Martin del Potro after possible last match

Mats Wilander has paid tribute to Juan Martin del Potro following his 6-1 6-3 defeat to Federico Delbonis at the Argentina Open, a match which may well prove to be the last of his professional career. Del Potro returned to the court on Tuesday after two and a half years battling back from a severe knee injury but, despite showing incredible grit, he could not keep pace with his friend and compatriot.

Delbonis won the match in an hour and 23 minutes, consoling Del Potro at the net at the end. Ad/> Having struggled to fight back tears towards the end of the match, the 2009 US Open winner hinted at the possibility of retirement afterwards.

“Possibly we may not meet again,” he told the crowd in Buenos Aires, who had roared him on throughout. ATP Buenos AiresMurray, Tsitsipas pay tribute to 'really popular' Del Potro8 HOURS AGO Asked in his post-match press conference if the match was his last as a professional, he replied: “I want to relax, talk to the doctors again and then we’ll see.” In light of those comments Eurosport pundit and former world No 1 Wilander has spoken of his admiration for Del Potro, who fractured his kneecap at Queen’s in 2019 and, since then, has undergone several operations to have his knee surgically rebuilt in an attempt to launch a comeback.

“The first feeling I actually had was how big he is in Argentina and his home country,” Wilander said. “Obviously having Guillermo Vilas come from there, Gabriela Sabatini, both Grand Slam former champions… Juan Martin del Potro seems to be more loved somehow.

“When you look at his resume, you realise that, of course, he won the US Open in 2009, beating [Rafa] Nadal in the semis, [Roger] Federer in the final, it was unbelievable. But then he also won the Davis