'I was a tennis pro for 20 years - but I'll never forget what Novak Djokovic is doing for me'

Juan Martin Del Potro has opened up about the unforgettable moment offered to wave him into retirement with one final match.

The Argentine, who famously , had to hang up his racket two years ago after repeated Del Potro, 36, was not able to have one final match to say goodbye to competitive tennis and bounce off into the sunset.

Over the years, Del Potro and Djokovic formed a close friendship on the tour. Recently, rumours abound that the former wanted to take on the 24-time Grand Slam winner in one final match, despite his numerous injury battles.

After cottoning onto the whispers, Djokovic went out of his way to speak to the South American and find out what he wanted to do. Without hesitation, he promised to be the person to face Del Potro in Buenos Aires on December 1.

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In an interview with Nacional, Del Potro said: "Until the last Miami Open, there were rumours [about the match], there was a little news, but we hadn't seen each other for a long time. One day in Miami, he said to me: 'Delpo, I know you're here, I want you to come to dinner and we can talk.'

"We had an incredible conversation. He asked me if it was true about the match, I told him that the only way this could go forward is if he wanted to accompany me that day.

"And he answered: 'Count on me for whatever I can help you with it.' For me, it was very emotional because a guy like him, with the tight schedule he has, with the things he plays week after week, the thousands of offers he has of all kinds, to take a break and come to Argentina for a few hours to be with me and the people, who also love him, was very special.

"I need to give closure to what tennis is and feel somewhat active, but this is the end of everything I went through. Having my final photo with the racket next to Novak is what will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Del Potro has not played since February 2022, where he faced fellow Argentine Federico Delbonis. The 2009 US Open winner did not know it would be the final match of his competitive career.

His upcoming exhibition against Djokovic has been dubbed "The Last Challenge". When asked why he was so desperate for one last match, Del Potro said he wants to finally bookend his career.

He's prepared to even risk further injury to his knee for that priceless experience. He added: "I hear stories of people who get a prosthesis and walk without leg pain. But they tell me 'not you because you're 36 years old, and you have to wait another 15 years.' It's a conversation I often have with doctors.

"I tell them 'look, what am I going to wait for, to be 50 to get a prosthesis to walk well from 50 to 70 if today I can't climb a staircase'. I need to give closure to what tennis is and feel somewhat active.

"But this is the end of everything I went through. Having my final photo with the racket next to Novak is what will stay with me for the rest of my life."