World number five Juan Martin Del Potro wrote his apology to his fans after retiring from his opening round match at the Dubai Tennis Championships 2014 earlier this week. Del Potro dropped the first set to India’s Somdev Devvarman before deciding he couldn’t continue due to the left wrist pain.
“First of all I want to thank you for the support that is coming from all over the world. Of course, it is a sad moment for me. This is not what I planned when I was doing the tough pre-season training in December, when I dreamed about having the chance of getting closer to the top players. However, it is not the first obstacle I find during my career. If I have learnt something, it’s to get up after I fall,” Del Potro wrote on his official Facebook page liked by more than 1.2 million fans.
“The wrist problem has been worrying me for two years, with ups and downs. But [I have] always [had] the support of my team, my family, my friends and of course you, who always stood there during [the] good and bad times. Despite this wrist issue and missing [2013] Roland Garros because of illness, I did pretty well and could equal my career-high singles ranking.
“These days it’s frustrating not being able to play like I could if I were healthy. I have full confidence in my doctor, Richard Berger, who found the solution to the other wrist injury in 2010. I will follow his advice and will do the rehabilitation exercises he suggested, and then we will evaluate the steps to follow.
“Again, thanks for the support! I promise to keep fighting as I always did.”
As of this moment, Del Potro is still committed to compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells next week.
