Retiring Del Potro suffers loss on return at Argentina Open

Juan Martin del Potro. Pic/AFP

Argentine great Juan Martin del Potro, 33, made a losing return to tennis after a two-and-a-half-year injury absence on Tuesday, beaten in straight sets by compatriot Federico Delbonis in the Argentina Open.

In what was expected to be one of Del Potro's final appearances before retiring, the former US Open champion was overcome with emotion towards the end of Delbonis's 6-1, 6-3 victory. The former World No.3 wiped away tears as he prepared to serve what would turn out to be the final game of the match.

"Possibly we may not meet again," Del Potro told fans. "Today I gave everything I had, until the last point. I'm happy because my last game was probably on a tennis court in front of all of you, and not in a press conference. I'll always remember you," he added.

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