Jimmy Connors says what Juan Martin del Potro failed to do before retiring which he just can’t understand

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Juan Martin del Potro played in his farewell match this week after struggling with several serious injuries in recent years.

The story of Del Potro is one that is heart-breaking to his adoring fans, as one of the brightest stars in tennis faded away as his body continuously failed him.

Del Potro recently revealed he has been suffering every day, since his final match in 2022, as the Argentine still struggles with his knee, which he had surgery on five times.

The 36-year-old won the US Open in 2009, as he remarkably snapped Roger Federer’s five-year unbeaten streak at the tournament.

He reached the final at Flushing Meadows once more in 2018, as he lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

The Serb played an important role in his tennis send-off, as Djokovic took on Del Potro in his farewell match this week in Buenos Aires.

Del Potro won the emotional affair 6-4, 7-5, as 15,000 fans gave the Argentine the goodbye to tennis he deserved.

One tennis legend, however, has looked back on his career saying that he can’t understand why Del Potro didn’t come to him for advice while struggling with injury.

Jimmy Connors doesn’t understand why Juan Martin del Potro didn’t do this one thing before retiring

Speaking on his Advantage Connors podcast, former world number one Jimmy Connors looked back on Del Potro’s career with his son Brett Connors.

“I remember you talking about him years and years ago, especially when he won the US Open,” he said.

“How you liked the way he played and his style and the kind of guy he was and all of that.”

Connors couldn’t understand, however, why Del Potro didn’t come to him advice when going through his many injuries.

“I want to go back to 1990 when I blew my wrist out,” he said.

“Why don’t these guys who have problems like that, come to an old guy like me who’s been through it all, and knows about all that?

“Has the experience, and knows what it takes for an athlete, especially a tennis player, to get better, and to be able to do that.”

The eight-time Grand Slam champion said that if he were in Del Potro’s position he wouldn’t have hesitated to ask for advice.

“If that was me, I’d have gone to the one guy who would’ve blown out his wrist, and is still playing 40 years later, and would’ve asked who did yours?” said Connors.

“It just seems like common sense to me.

“I did the research and came out of it ok, so why not take advantage of my research?”

This isn’t the first time he’s encouraged tennis players to ask for his advice, as Connors questioned Dominic Thiem for not speaking to him, as he retired from tennis earlier this year.

The American went on to remind fans just how tough a toll tennis can take on the human body.

“A young guy like that, [Juan Martin] Del Potro having to go through a wrist and a knee and everything he’s been through,” said Connors.

“I’m going to say it again tennis is nasty.

“Tennis takes a toll on you, and people don’t understand.”

How did Juan Martin del Potro reach the US Open final in 2018?

In 2018, Del Potro achieved a feat that many injured stars could only dream of, as he returned from a long injury lay off to once again compete at the elite level of men’s tennis.

The Argentine injured his wrist in 2014, which saw him out of continued action for two years, when he returned in February 2016.

In the next year or so, Del Potro remarkably picked up an Olympic Silver medal, the Davis Cup title, and reached a Grand Slam semi-final.

All achievements that seemed impossible during his two-year layoff, but what was to come in 2018, was perhaps even more impressive.

The 6ft 6 giant began the year by winning his first-ever Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, as he once again took down Federer in a big final.

He then made the semi-finals at the French Open, before reaching the last eight at Wimbledon, as he continued his strong Grand Slam form.

That came to a head at the US Open, as Del Potro made his second Grand Slam final in New York, nine years after his first.

The Argentine dropped just one set on his way to the final, as he eventually came up short against Djokovic.

It was a fairy tale run at Flushing Meadows, that was a testament to Del Potro’s drive and perseverance in the face of plenty of adversity.

He never reached the quarter-final stage of a Grand Slam again, as he qualified for the fourth round at the 2019 French Open in his last appearance at a Major tournament.

Del Potro played his final match at the 2022 Argentina Open, losing to Federico Delbonis, leaving tennis with his head held high, and a legacy to be proud of.