Before his last service game he burst into tears, after the match point he hung his famous headband on the edge of the net and gave an interview crying.
Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro, one of the few tennis professionals to break the Grand Slam dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in recent years, has declared his career over.
In the first round of the ATP tournament in Buenos Aires, the 33-year-old made his comeback and farewell.
After a break of almost 1000 days, the 2009 US Open winner returned to the field after countless injuries.
Del Potro lost 6-1, 6-3 to his compatriot Federico Delbonis and afterwards said: “I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.
I have fulfilled all my dreams in tennis and the most important trophy is the affection of the people.
Now I have peace of mind because my last game was probably on the pitch and not in a press conference.” When asked if he would play next week's tournament in Rio, he said: “No.”
Earlier, del Potro indicated at a press conference that he wanted to retire after the two tournaments.
“Yes, I was planning to go to Rio.
I think I gave everything up to the last point.
Today I wish that after two years I can sleep without pain in my leg," he said.
The former world number three had not played an ATP match since June 2019.
In preparation for Wimbledon that year, he fractured his right kneecap for the second time.
He had to be operated on again, the recovery was lengthy.
Del Potro had previously had bad luck with injuries and had to have several wrist surgeries.
In addition to the US Open title in 2009, his greatest successes also include Olympic bronze in 2012 in London and silver in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
He won the Davis Cup with the Argentine Davis Cup team in 2016.