Exclusive: Juan Martín del Potro discusses potential tennis comeback as coach - "The time will come”

He may have only retired from professional tennis in December 2024, but Juan Martín del Potro can never rule out a return to the sport.

The 36-year-old hung up his racquet at the end of last year with an exhibition match in his homeland of Argentina, calling on friend and rival Novak Djokovic to be his distinguished opponent of honour.

His admiration for the Paris 2024 Olympic champion is evident; the pair faced off 20 times on the professional tour including at two Olympic Games, both of which ended in victory and an eventual podium for the two-time Argentine Olympic medallist.

“As long as Djokovic keeps playing, he remains the best on the tour,” del Potro tells Olympics.com in Spanish. “I think that winning another Grand Slam is very personal for him. I even think that he can win many more. It would be great for the tennis world too if he wins again… like he did in Paris with the gold medal.”

Del Potro shared a special rivalry with Djokovic, who is a year his senior and chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title. The Serbian star is currently enlisting another former rival, Andy Murray, as part of his coaching staff – something that entices ‘Delpo’.

“Obviously being a full-time coach means you have to travel a lot again, be on top of everything on the tour,” he explains. “I did that 20 years ago and I am a bit tired. But obviously if Novak called me to work with him, I would be a happy man.

“I cannot say no to him, but maybe that is my thinking now and it may change in a few months. The door is not 100% closed, I think that the time will come.”

Click here to read article