Novak Djokovic admits he’s ‘sad’ because his ‘greatest rivals have left’ ahead of exhibition match against Juan Martin del Potro

Novak Djokovic talked about the retirement of his old rivals ahead of his exhibition match against Juan Martin del Potro.

Novak Djokovic admits he’s ‘sad’ because his ‘greatest rivals have left’ ahead of exhibition match against Juan Martin del Potro

Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro (Image via X)

Juan Martin del Potro bid farewell to tennis with a final appearance on the tennis court. Ahead of the exhibition match in Buenos Aires against the Argentine, Novak Djokovic opened up about the retirement of his biggest rivals.

Del Potro is one of the players who challenged Djokovic whenever he met the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Ahead of the exhibition match, ‘The Final Challenge,’ Djokovic was asked whether Del Potro’s farewell match would be the end of an era as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray have bid their farewell to tennis.

YouTube video

Federer, Nadal, Murray, Delpo, Wawrinka (he’s still playing)… it is a very special era for our sport. Our personal careers have been influenced by all these rivalries of the last 15 years. For me, looking at this year, it is an incredible thing. I am a bit sad because my greatest rivals have left. A part of me, in terms of tennis, also leaves with them, but I continue to seek this motivation.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

Djokovic then mentioned his collaboration with Murray. Last month, the 37-year-old Serb announced that he would be coached by the three-time Major champion at the 2025 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic says injuries are the biggest rival of an athlete

Last month, Rafael Nadal became the second member of the Big 3 to retire from tennis, all due to injuries. Novak Djokovic also suffered from injuries this season, forcing him to withdraw from the French Open quarterfinals and the ATP Finals.

Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro
Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro (via X)

As Juan Martin del Potro, who probably had more tennis left in him, succumbed to injuries, Djokovic, ahead of the exhibition match said the 36-year-old had a back luck with injuries.

I have had some serious injuries, but not with such bad luck as him. Injuries are the biggest rival of a professional athlete; when you don’t have health, you can’t do the things you dedicate your life to.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

Del Potro won the match 6-4, 7-5 and then the two shared a warm hug at the net. Del Potro officially retired in the 2022 Argentina Open after battling a career-threatening knee injury.

He hasn’t yet recovered completely from it as in a video he uploaded on social media, he opened up about how he’s still suffering from pain. He wanted to play another farewell match to leave tennis with happy memories which now he did.