The return of Juan Martin del Potro to the ATP Tour is unlikely to happen in 2020 after the Argentine underwent surgery on his knee for the third time in two years.
Del Potro, who hasn’t played a match since the 2019 Fever-Tree Championships in London, has undergone a procedure in Switzerland following a consultation with a doctor whose previous patients include Roger Federer. The Argentine has opted to undergo more surgery due to ongoing pain in his knee despite previous efforts to solve the problem. Del Potro has fractured his kneecap on the Tour twice at the 2018 Shanghai Masters and London the following year.
“Juan Martin del Potro underwent surgery this morning on his right knee. The operation was conducted by Dr. Roland Biedert in Bern, Switzerland,” an official statement reads.
“Del Potro and Biedert had been in contact since January. In recent months, Delpo followed his doctor’s advice and even tested the knee of a court in Buenos Aires, but the pain persisted. After their first meeting, Biedert recommended a new surgery.”
No details have been provided about what procedure he has undergone and how it is different to the other two. There also has been no estimate given about how long the recovery process may take.
Del Potro’s career has been marred by numerous injury setbacks. Since 2010 he has undergone seven different surgeries and has spent nine plus months away from the Tour on four separate occasions. The operations he has undergone are one on his left wrist, three on his right wrist and three on his right knee.
Despite the woes, Del Potro has still managed to make his mark on the Tour. Highlighted by his triumph at the 2009 US Open. Overall, he has won 13 ATP titles, as well as two Olympic medals. So far in his career he has made more than $25 million in prize money which is more than any other Argentine player – male or female – in history.
The 31-year-old is currently ranked 132nd in the ATP Rankings.
