World of Sport
02nd Jun 2017
There was nothing between Del Potro and Spaniard Nicolás Almagro, who had a set shared between them in their round of 64 French Open clash, when Almagro realised he couldn’t continue.
The Spaniard bent over, and his distress was obvious as he clutched his troubling knee. He then panned out on his back, with his hands on his head and sobbed audibly.
Almagro’s distress was linked to his knowledge that his injury would force his retirement from the tournament, more so than the pain of his injury.
The love and emotional attachment these players have for their game is phenomenal. Their competitiveness shows just how much it means to them.
Almagro devastated as he got injured again. His sobbing breaks silence of the arena. Del Potro knows how it feels pic.twitter.com/WHqkmnvRuI
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) June 1, 2017
Del Potro exuded class, decency and honour as he selflessly put these competitive instincts to one side, however, when he hopped over the net to console his visibly distressed opponent before helping him up off the ground and comforting him with words of encouragement on his way back to his chair.
It was a truly refreshing gesture which shows that there are still professional sportspeople out there who are down to earth, who follow their human instincts, and realise that at times, the game has to be put to one side.
Del Potro knows exactly what Almagro’s pain feels like. The Argentinian has been cursed with a series of debilitating injuries throughout his career.
In fact, this is the first time del Potro has played at Roland Garros in five years, because of his long succession of wrist problems.
All of the ❤️
Del Potro comforts Almagro after abrupt end to their 2R meeting: https://t.co/ZoJXKKnLgT #RG17 pic.twitter.com/ziNH7B6wwG
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2017
“I tried to, I don’t know, tried to find good words for that moment,” the 29th seed claimed after the match.
“I say to him, ‘Try to be calm.’ Think about his family, his baby.”
Del Potro had no hesitation in helping his ailing opponent. “I think he has everything to fix this problem and come back on tour stronger. I just do what my heart feels, you know?”
The 28-year-old will now face Scotland’s Andy Murray in the next round.
