“His career could have been greater,” Novak Djokovic ‘saddened’ by Juan Martin del Potro’s ‘bad luck with injuries’
Novak Djokovic talked about Juan Martin del Potro's struggles with injury ahead of their exhibition match in Buenos Aires.
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Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro (Image via X)
Juan Martin del Potro indeed had back luck with injuries. The injury that he suffered at the Queen’s Club Championships in 2019 not only ended his career but it’s causing pain and discomfort even now.
Even Novak Djokovic is no stranger to injuries but surely they did not impact his career a great deal. Ahead of the farewell match for del Potro in Buenos Aires, Djokovic talked about his rival’s fight with injuries.
His career is legendary as it has been, but I believe that, as all of us here would agree, he has had bad luck with injuries. Surely his career could have been greater if he had not had knee injuries.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference ahead of the match
This season saw three players’ retirements and injuries were to be blamed. Andy Murray, even though he gave his all in every match he played, struggled post hip surgery. Rafael Nadal also succumbed to injury and retired and so was Dominic Thiem, just at the age of 31.
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. I am saddened by everything I have observed with Delpo, but today we are here to celebrate.
Novak Djokovic added
Djokovic was defeated 6-4, 7-5 in the match. On the ATP Tour, they met 20 times with the Serb having a 16-4 lead in their head-to-head encounters.
Novak Djokovic set to play more matches in 2025
Novak Djokovic participated in just nine tournaments on the ATP Tour. He started his season at the Australian Open and ended at the Shanghai Masters without winning a trophy, with Olympic gold being the only title he took home.
Djokovic however is ‘physically and mentally’ ready to challenge the rising stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both of whom won the four majors in 2024. Although the major events will be Djokovic’s priority in 2025, he is planning to play more than he did this year.
So next year I will play more tournaments and the Slams in particular will be my priority: I will give my best to win, of course, if my body allows me to.
Novak Djokovic said during an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport
Djokovic withdrew from the ATP Finals due to injury. He started this season as World No.1 but ended it as World No.7.
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Gouri Das
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