Del Potro returns to Argentina to continue recovery in quarantine

Juan Martin del Potro will continue his recovery from double-knee surgery at home in Buenos Aires as he begins to plot his comeback to the tour.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a top player with worse luck throughout the entirety of his career on the injury-front than del Potro, who has now undergone six career-threatening surgeries since winning his one and only Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in 2009.

Del Potro has only played 12 matches since injuring his right knee in October 2018 at the Shanghai Masters. The Argentine returned to action in 2019 but ultimately wasn’t ready and subsequently hasn’t played since Queen’s Club in June, undergoing two rounds of surgery on his right knee in a bid to fully repair it.

The 31-year-old initially hoped to make a comeback at the Australian Open, but his knee was still bothering him, with del Potro opting to go under the knife once more on January 27 at the University of Miami Institute of Sports Medicine – seven months after the initial surgery on his right knee.

Del Potro has spent the last couple of months rehabilitating in Miami, but took to social media this week to reveal he was back in Tandil for the next phase of his recovery amid the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.

The 2018 Indian Wells Masters champion said he was in quarantine and was focused on regaining his fitness from home.

“Early today I arrived home after two months in Miami. Of course, I am already following quarantine at home and will try to go on with my recovery here,” del Potro said.

“It is very important to take care of each other. Please follow the specialists’ advice, be empathetic. It is a special, unique moment and we need to give our best.

“I want to thank the commander of the Aerolineas Argentinas flight that landed this morning in Buenos Aires. Thanks to all its crew for their kindness during the flight. Also, a big hug to the doctors and health professionals during this difficult times.”

Del Potro’s ranking is currently frozen at No. 128 after the ATP and WTA released a combined statement declaring there to be no tournament play until at least June 8, 2020.

That means the entire European clay season has been suspended, with the French Open revealing on Wednesday that they would be changing their date to September/October – controversially, just one week after the U.S. Open is currently scheduled to end.

Del Potro, when fully fit, will have a protected ranking and would almost certainly be awarded a wildcard to any tournament he wishes if he can’t break back into the top 100 in time.