Looking back on the first-ever match between Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open as they get ready to face off again

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Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro enjoyed a superb rivalry on the court, with the latter bringing it to an end with his retirement.

The former is showing no signs of stopping, with Djokovic hiring Andy Murray as his new coach ahead of the Australian Open.

He will work with the Scot in the off-season, with the duo undoubtedly wanting to emerge victorious at the first possible opportunity.

Before that, however, Djokovic has flown to Argentina, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion set to take on Del Potro in his farewell event.

Djokovic has been praised for playing Del Potro one last time, having met the Argentine icon 20 times in ATP Tour action over the years.

Novak Djokovic beats Juan Martin del Potro on way to 2007 US Open final

The former won 16 of those 20 matches, the first of which came in their very first meeting in the 2007 US Open round of 32.

Arthur Ashe Stadium hosted the encounter, where Djokovic emerged victorious from a lengthy and exciting battle 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.

READ MORE: Who is Novak Djokovic? Step inside the life of the 24-time Grand Slam champion

The Serbian then beat Del Potro’s compatriot Juan Monaco and Spaniards Carlos Moya and David Ferrer before losing the final to Swiss icon Roger Federer.

What Juan Martin del Potro called the most ‘incredible’ week of his career

It was a very first Grand Slam final for Djokovic, who since then has gone on to win such events a record 24 times.

Del Potro meanwhile managed to go one step further than his future rival just one year later, with the Argentine winning his one and only Grand Slam title at the 2009 US Open.

Incidentally, that victory came against Federer, with Del Potro going on to lose the 2018 US Open final to Djokovic.

It is, however, the 2016 Olympics that Del Potro has called the most ‘incredible’ week of his career, as per the Olympic website.

READ MORE: The prediction Roger Federer made about Novak Djokovic after he won the French Open in 2023

The Argentine knocked out top seed Djokovic and fellow legend Rafael Nadal in Rio, before eventually settling for a silver medal as Andy Murray took gold.