Juan Martin del Potro eyes Olympics, but says ‘I will continue to lie to myself’ if dream doesn’t materialise

Juan Martin del Potro in action

He is battling yet another career-threatening injury, but Juan Martin del Potro insists he is not ready to retire as he has set his sights on the Tokyo Olympics and even if he doesn’t play at the 2021 Games he says “I will continue to lie to myself for the love of tennis as I want to retire inside a court.”

The 2009 US Open champion hasn’t played competitive tennis since the 2019 Fever Tree Championships as he fractured his right-knee cap for a second time in the space of a few months. The unfortunate Argentine has since undergone three operations on his knee with the last surgery taking place in August this year.

Another setback for unfortunate Juan Martin del Potro as he undergoes a third knee operation

It is an all too familiar story for Del Potro as he also underwent two career-saving operations on his left wrist and one on his right wrist.

Despite the constant setbacks, the 32-year-old is not ready to pack it all in as he wants to compete at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.

“I’m going to be honest, the truth is that it takes a lot out of me to make a comeback. It is becoming very difficult for me but I’m not ready to give up,” Del Potro, who won silver in the singles at the 2016 Rio Games, told ESPN Deportes.

“Due to the pandemic, the Olympic Games are only next year and I am excited to go there [and play]. If I have to [choose a place] to end my career, I think it would be for me to represent my country.”

He added: “I had put a limit when I underwent a third wrist operation and luckily I did not go through with it, but then it was with the second and third operation knee.

“Now I have set the Olympic Games as my goal and if it doesn’t happen I will continue to lie to myself for the love of tennis as I want to retire inside a court.”

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