"Better send-off than Rafael Nadal";"Must be tough for Novak Djokovic" - Fans react to Juan Martin del Potro's emotional farewell in Argentina

Juan Martin del Potro's emotional farewell exhibition match in Argentina drew reactions from tennis fans. Some of them felt that the Argentine received a better farewell than Rafael Nadal, while others thought about what went through Novak Djokovic's head seeing his rivals retire one after the other.

Del Potro suffered from injuries for the majority of his career eventually leading the Argentine to stop playing competitive tennis in 2022. However, the 36-year-old received a phenomenal farewell in front of his home crowd in Buenos Aires, where he played his former rival and friend Djokovic in an exhibition match.

The Argentine won the match 6-4, 7-5 and the match ended with Djokovic setting Del Potro up for his signature forehand, which he flawlessly executed. The two men shared a beautiful embrace at the net, while the Argentine crowd honored their home favorite with raucous applause.

An emotional Juan Martin del Potro hung his headband on the net and kissed it, while the Serb could be seen in tears.

Fans took to X to react to Delpo's, as lovingly referred to by fans, farewell. One fan felt the Argentine received a better farewell than Rafael Nadal, who hung up his racket at the Davis Cup Finals this year. Nadal's farewell was considered underwhelming by many.

"Del Potro had a better send off than Rafa, anyway," the fan opined.

Another fan thought about how Djokovic must feel watching Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, and his other big rivals hanging up their rackets.

"Killed me when DelPo didn’t win gold in Rio… he deserved it. Must be tough for Novak to see all of his rivals hanging it up," the fan thought.

Here are some other reactions from the fans:

"This is likely one of the most emotional farewells in the open era! Delpo! This guy is a legend!" a fan remarked.

"Well, until this day, his farewell was in an official match, as Nadal. For sure he will have an exhibition where all will be around to celebrate his career, as Delpo today, as Roger in the Laver Cup... where result and competition doesn't matter," a fan opined.

"So thinking that an exhibition match or something else is coming with Federer or other players because he just can’t leave the sport like that," a fan said.

"Tennis fans give a lot of stick and boos to Novak, largely for their bias towards the Fedal craze. I have been a RF fan myself and it has hurt everytime he has lost to the greats. But Novak silently has stood up for self and for others. What an amazing sportsman he is. A true gem," a fan mentioned.

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"Juan Martin del Potro's greatest victory in life is that he is a wonderful person" - Novak Djokovic

Juan Martin del Potro - Source: Getty

Juan Martin del Potro also received some heartfelt messages from Roger Federer, who he defeated to win the US Open in 2009, via a video, and also Novak Djokovic. Hailing the Argentine's character, Djokovic said (translated from Spanish):

“Like everyone else here in this stadium today, I was very excited to play with my friend, with a great person, a great player, and a great rival. It was also very very special for me because I have spent a lot of time with Juan Martin."

He also mentioned what Del Potro's 'greatest victory' in life was.

“Juan Martin is the person who maintains professionalism but always has respect. I think that Juan Martin, you have been an example for all of us, his greatest victory in life is that he is a wonderful person,” he added.

Juan Martin del Potro gifted Novak Djokovic custom-made wine bottles that were inspired by some career highlights from the Serb's career.