Sports
Tennis great’s heartbreaking admission of Juan Martin; Rafael Nadal Of Spain Retires with…
Tennis great’s heartbreaking admission; Rafael Nadal Of Spain Retires with an injury against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina
The Argentine Davis Cup winner, who also won medals at the 2012 (bronze) and 2016 (silver) Olympic Games, became a household name in 2009 as he went on a giant killing run to the US Open final.
He beat Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals, before smashing Rafael Nadal in straight sets (6-2, 6-2, 6-2) to qualify for his first – and only – final.
Over five incredible sets, del Potro became one of only three players (you know the other two) to beat Federer in a grand slam final as he took out the US Open.
His breakthrough win capped a great season, where he made the quarter-final at the Australian Open before making the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon.
The Argentinian would reach one more final in 2018, where Novak Djokovic beat him in straight sets.
The Times’ correspondent James Gheerbrant said he would miss del Potro “more than” Federer.
Tennis great’s heartbreaking admission of Juan Martin; Rafael Nadal Of Spain Retires with…
“For this unfailing generosity of spirit, in the face of severe adversity, I found Del Potro to be just as compelling and admirable — perhaps even a little more so — than his legendary peers,” Gheerbrant wrote in The Times.
“Perhaps no athlete of the last 15 years has better epitomised the brutal bargain of professional sport in the 21st century: going to war on your body, so your body can go to war on your behalf.
“Physical disrepair comes for most players eventually, but Del Potro was fighting the sedition in his joints and ligaments almost from the start.”
As the world comes to grips with a grand slam without Roger Federer in it, Juan Martin del Potro has made a heart throbbing admission about his own sorry departure from the sport.
Del Potro, 34, says he feels like he has been left “with nothing” with injury bringing the curtains down on his phenomenal career.
After climbing to a career high world No.3 in mid 2018, almost a decade after he moved to No.4 in the rankings to begin 2010 after claiming the US Open, del Potro draped his headband over the net as he bowed out in Buenos Aires earlier this year to compatriot Federico Delbonis in February.
It came after four knee surgeries, where he fractured his kneecap for the second time in eight months.
Now del Potro has revealed the extent of his injuries, saying he cannot run and walk up hills pain free.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal and Xisca Perelló: a shocking message sentences the future of the couple
“I recently went to Switzerland to see another doctor,” del Potro recently told reporters in Argentina. “I started another treatment, it was recommended by many tennis players and so far I have not even had a positive result.
“Imagine what it’s like after every treatment attempt or surgery, the frustration I can feel when things don’t work out. As usual I delude myself, I hope, I have faith in every new treatment I try and, when this fails, the blow is hard.
“And for three and a half years, despite several surgeries and treatments, it always happened. Today I can only walk, I do not run on the treadmill, I cannot climb the stairs without pain. I can’t drive for a long time without stopping to stretch my legs.
Tennis great’s heartbreaking admission of Juan Martin; Rafael Nadal Of Spain Retires with…
“This is my reality, which is hard, it is sad, but I always try to improve my situation and my new challenge is also to live in the best possible way, even psychologically, despite my problem.”
Del Potro said that he struggled to contemplate life without tennis, saying his sudden departure from the sport had been hard to process.
“I can’t psychologically accept a life without tennis,” he said.
“I did not have a gradual transition to the after, I did not prepare, I have no idea what the other athletes did to live this process peacefully.
“I was number three in the world, then suddenly I broke my knees and here I am, with nothing.
“And all this time I was trying to recover, as I have with any other injury, until in Buenos Aires I said: ‘That’s enough’. And from Buenos Aires I found myself, and I am still there, in that process of reflection, I wonder what things I might like, I don’t know.
“When I talk to other athletes who are no longer active, they say to me, ‘Well, it took me the last two years of my career, the last year, I prepared myself this way or that way. I’m doing it now.”
It Originally appeared on Foxsports.com
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
H. Marko lashes out at Steiner: Defend Mick Schumacher
Helmut Marko believes Mick Schumacher deserves a return to Formula 1, naming two teams he thinks would consider the son of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. The 81-year-old Austrian lashes out at Guenther Steiner, who sacked the German at Haas F1 just under two years ago.
“Mick is one of the politest and nicest people in the whole paddock, which is a disadvantage for him. He also has the handicap of a big name,” Marko said in an interview with Sport1.de. “In sporting terms, he has already achieved a lot. He won the Formula 3 championship, he won the Formula 2 championship, that alone made him interesting for Formula 1 teams.”
Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut at Haas F1 in 2021. There, he lasted two seasons. After a disappointing season in 2022, Guenther Steiner showed him the door and they opted for more experience with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Marko: ‘Netflix superstar’ Steiner treated Schumacher unfairly
“As far as we were concerned, there were no sporting reasons why we never got together,” Red Bull Racing’s team advisor explained. “He was a Ferrari junior at the time, but Mercedes took him into the team [afterwards]. So he wasn’t even on the market.”
“At Haas, he was not treated fairly by Netflix superstar Guenther Steiner. That’s a fact. Once you drive outside Formula 1, it becomes a difficult story. But behind the scenes, you only hear good things about him. Toto Wolff praises him to the skies. I think Alpine and Audi are seriously considering him. I wouldn’t begrudge him, because he deserves it,” Marko said.
Verstappen and Hamilton CRASH as FIA take action in Hungary
Max Verstappen was involved in a dramatic collision with Lewis Hamilton for P3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman attempted an overtake on his rival into Turn 1, going though the inside but locking up as Hamilton’s front right collided with Verstappen’s rear left.
In dramatic fashion the Red Bull was launched into the air, and was lucky to remain in the race, falling behind the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen has been placed under investigation by the stewards, with the FIA calling a 4.50pm UK time summons, where the sport’s governing body confirmed their findings.
F1 RECAP: Piastri claims STUNNING maiden victory as FIA announce Verstappen penalty verdict
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crash in Hungary
A nightmare Hungarian GP for Max Verstappen
It was a difficult race for the champion who went wide on the opening lap, and was forced to give the position back to Lando Norris after claiming P2.
The Red Bull star accused the Brit of running him wide, and continued to deliver a series of furious radio messages to his team during the grand prix.
Verstappen’s frustrations came to the fore as he attempted to overtake Hamilton, with the pair lucky to not be embroiled in more devastating contact.
In the end Hamilton claimed P3 and a podium in Hungary, with Verstappen languishing back in fifth.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
“It’s going to be emotional for me” – Chase Briscoe on honoring Tony Stewart’s legacy
Chase Briscoe, in a recent media session, shared his emotions about racing on the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Briscoe will be driving the No. 14 car, a number famously associated with his current team owner, Tony Stewart.
Stewart won several races and the 2011 championship with this car. He also co-owns NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), which will be shutting down after this season.
NASCAR first raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in 1994, which was the first race there besides the Indianapolis 500 in 1916. Since then, many different racing series have raced at IMS. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the Brickyard 400 after three years off, Chase Briscoe, who grew up in Mitchell, Indiana, faces an emotional weekend.
“It’s going to be emotional for me, I mean full transparency I cry every year just on the ride around deal so with it being on the oval and doing it in the 14 all that it’s going to be definitely, probably emotional,” said Briscoe.
“It’s really special to be back here at home in Indiana. Every race car driver dreams of racing at Indianapolis, but for me, it’s even more special because I grew up here,” he added.
Chase Briscoe eyes playoff spot and #14 legacy
A win this weekend will help Chase Briscoe secure a spot in the 2024 Cup playoffs. It would also be a fitting end to SHR’s legacy at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Briscoe has raced at the Brickyard before, twice in the Xfinity Series and won on the road course layout in 2020.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever get a chance to race on the oval. So being able to do it this year means a lot to me,” Briscoe stated.
The #14 car has a special place in NASCAR history. After Stewart retired in 2016, Clint Bowyer took over and won two races in 2018. Chase Briscoe then drove the #14 in 2021 and earned his first win in 2022. Other notable racers like Fonty Flock, Hershel McGriff, and A.J. Foyt, also drove this famed car.
THERE IS COMMENT BOX AFTER THE ADS, SHARE YOUR THOUGHT WITH US
