Juan Martin del Potro, Now A Legend, Returns To The Delray Beach Open

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

So Juan Martin del Potro is officially a legend.

The Argentine Gentle Giant, who has a biography by the same name here: https://a.co/d/gT9fm5L returned to one of his favorite ATP Tour stops at the 2025 Delray Beach Open to participate in the legends competition of the event. The Delray Beach Open is one of the few one week ATP/WTA pro tennis events that extend to 10 days with the addition of a legends event, albeit mostly hit and giggle and the winner decided by the number of sets players win over a three-day period.  Del Potro paired with Jesse Levine in a losing effort against Bob and Mike Bryan on the opening Friday of the event

“It’s an immense opportunity to be on the court with these guys, and to be at a tournament that means a lot to my career, to my life and I’m thankful to be here once again,” said del Potro. “Thanks to the fans for coming out, and for the support all my career.”

Del Potro won the title in Delray Beach in 2011 and played the event five times in his career. His legends appearance in 2025 marked the first time that del Potro played in Delray since 2019. He was scheduled to return to tennis at the 2020 event after one of his long line of injuries, but had to pull out due to another setback.

Del Potro is just two months removed from playing his “farewell” match in Argentina against Novak Djokovic which saw him say good bye to big time tennis in a match against the 24-time major champ and showcase his ferocious forehand one final time in front of his home crowd. Del Potro also played in a “Legends of the U.S. Open” exhibition mixed doubles match with Gabriela Sabatini at the 2024 U.S. Open.

So no doubt del Potro is one of the legends of the sport and arguably, next to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, was the most popular player in the game during this era. But, will del Potro’s legend and popularity be as remembered in the halls of the Newport Casino as an inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame? (Watch “Does Juan Martin del Porto Get Into The International Tennis Hall of Fame?! https://youtu.be/_d3nB4CONEs?si=Av7uP253XjveAXoU )

With only one major title, the 2009 U.S. Open, his resume may initially seem a little slim, but he reached one other major final, reached at least the quarterfinals of all four majors (two French Open semifinals and one Wimbledon semifinal) and is unique in tennis to have won Olympic medals in different Games (2012 bronze in singles in London and 2016 silver in Rio de Janiero) a Davis Cup for Argentina in 2016, 22 career titles and a career high ranking of No . 3 and should still get strong consideration when his name comes up for ballot consideration in 2027 when he is first eligible for the ballot for Newport.

What is the Gentle Giant doing now other than some legendary appearances? He’s opened a tennis academy in Boynton Beach where he is giving back to the sport and helping the next generation of competitors. Hopefully this new proximity to Delray Beach will see him come back to play the legends event here for years to come. When asked to talk about his academy: “Come find me at my own academy in Boynton Beach and I can teach you my forehand if you want!”