WATCH: ‘The atmosphere was crazy,’ says emotional Juan Martin del Potro of potential farewell match

There were emotional scenes as Juan Martin del Potro made his long-awaited return to competitive tennis and the soul-stirring match may well have been his final one too.

Having been out of action since June 2019 due to a serious knee injury, Del Potro announced before the Argentina Open that it could be his farewell tournament.

And the atmosphere at Buenos Aires for the match against fellow Argentine Federico Delbonis was always going to be “crazy” on the back of that announcement with the 2009 US Open champion receiving a welcome to remember as he walked out.

Welcome back, @delpotrojuan

Watch his return against Federico Delbonis LIVE https://t.co/hOHmv2wMlX#ArgentinaOpen pic.twitter.com/JSG7lezOnK

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2022

It was a one-sided affair with the sixth-seeded Delbonis winning in 6-1, 6-3 in under 90 minutes although Del Potro did start with a break of serve in the first game, which was the last game he won in the set.

There were signs of his booming forehand during several occasions, much to the delight of the crowd.

How good is it to see that forehand back in action @delpotrojuan #ArgentinaOpen pic.twitter.com/7f5CfyiOQZ

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 8, 2022

Delbonis went on to win the final four games of the second set to ease over the line.

“It’s difficult to explain how I felt on the court. So many emotions,” del Potro said post-match. “The atmosphere was crazy, the people were crazy, and I had one of my best ever matches in my career with the crowd.”

And things did catch up with the Tower of Tandil just before the end of the match.

An emotional moment for everyone watching @delpotrojuan #ArgentinaOpen pic.twitter.com/eK4W6NhrQV

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 9, 2022

Despite all the