LONDON: Doubts has been cast over Juan Martin del Potro’s future presence at the Fever-Tree Championships after he aggravated a knee injury during his first round match.
Facing Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the first round of the Fever-tree Championships, the Argentine prevailed 7-5, 6-4. Overcoming the threat posed from both his opponent and surface he was playing on. In both sets, it was a case of Shapovalov faltering at the worst possible moment. At 5-5 in the opener, an error-stricken service game from the Canadian concluded with a double fault. Rewarding del Potro the break and a chance to serve the set out. A task he achieved with the help of an ace. In the second set, it was another lackluster Shapovalov service game that the Argentine capitalized on to break once again on route to victory.
“It has been such a long time since I played this tournament. I’m happy that I am here.” Del Potro told BBC Sport afterward.
Towards the closing stages of the match, fears were raised when the Argentine slipped on the grass. Something he did a few times throughout the match. Although this time it appeared that he was in discomfort.
“Juan Martin del Potro finished his first round match with pain and swelling around his right knee after slipping close to the net in the eighth game of the second set.” Agent Jorge Viale said in a statement afterward.
“In the next few hours, medical studies will be carried out to determine the degree of injury.”
Queen’s is only Del Potro’s fifth tournament of the season. He has only been able to play one tournament during the first four months of 2019 due to a knee injury. A familiar trend for the former US Open champion. Since 2010, he has missed 36 months of the tour due to numerous problems.
The injury timeline
Jan-Sep 10: right wrist (8 months)
Feb-Jan 14-15: Left wrist (11 months)
Mar-Feb 15-16: left wrist (11 months)
Oct-Feb 18-19: right knee (4 months)
Feb-Apr 19: right knee (2 months)
At The Queen’s Club, Del Potro didn’t speak with the media following his first-round match.
