Andy Roddick picks who was the better tennis player out of himself and Juan Martin del Potro

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Juan Martin del Potro played his final ever tennis match last week, after struggling with injury in recent years.

There are very few players who were as loved and respected as Del Potro was during his time in the sport.

Del Potro played his final tennis match against Novak Djokovic last week, in front of 15,000 adoring fans in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Argentine hadn’t played a professional tennis match since 2022, as Del Potro revealed the extent of his injuries in a recent social media post.

It was a fantastic event in Argentina, as Del Potro won 6-4, 7-5, against his Serbian friend.

The result brought to a close a legendary, if shortened career, with one tennis legend now revealing whether he thinks he was better than Del Potro.

Andy Roddick explains why Juan Martin del Potro was better than him

Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former world number one spoke about the Argentine’s injuries and just how good he could’ve been if he’d stayed fit.

“We all feel for Juan Martin [Del Potro] and what he’s gone through with injuries,” said Roddick.

“Without those injuries, he has an [Andy] Murray type career, he’s that good, he wins more majors.”

The American carried on with his praise of Del Potro, as he was happy to admit that the 36-year-old was better than him.

“He’s better than chuckers like I was,” he said.

“The guy can throw it off both sides.

“He’s one of the few that could beat the big three if he was playing his best tennis.

“Some of us needed to play our best tennis and needed a little bit of help from them on any given day.”

The ‘big three’ consisted of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, the three players widely considered to be the greatest of all time in men’s tennis.

Roddick then explained the one shot that Del Potro used best in his big wins against the elite players on the ATP Tour.

“He could go out there and with his forehand, he could dominate the court,” he said.

“When his forehand was on it was the best shot on the court.

“You would hit a good ball over there and you knew there was going to be a good chance that you were going to be a mannequin watching it go by you on the next ball.”

Roddick’s co-host Jon Wertheim was keen to join in on the praise of Del Potro, as he looked back on his 2009 US Open triumph.

“Here’s a guy who beat Rafa and Roger to win the 2009 US Open,” he said.

“He was born in 1988, so he’s not even 20 years old and he’s beating two of the towering giants.

“I think when you say this is a guy who could’ve had Murray’s career, that could be understating things.”

Did Juan Martin del Potro have a better tennis career than Andy Roddick?

Whilst Roddick certainly seems to think that Del Potro was better than him, did he actually have a better career?

Both players enjoyed their greatest days at Flushing Meadows, with Del Potro and Roddick picking up their only Major titles at the US Open.

Looking further into their two careers, there may be evidence to suggest that one had a slightly more impressive time on the ATP Tour.

The American has the upper hand in almost every area, thanks to his successful 12-year career in the sport.

It is however unfair to look past the injury struggles that the Argentine faced throughout his time in tennis, as he spent several of his ‘prime’ years on the sidelines.

Even after his long injury lay-off Del Potro enjoyed a lot of success in tennis, as he led Argentina to the Davis Cup title and won an Olympic Silver medal.

The story of Del Potro could’ve been so different had he not suffered as many injuries as he did, but what can’t be denied is that the gentle giant left a lasting impact on the sport, that will never be forgotten.