Djokovic to face del Potro in final match in Buenos Aires

Novak Djokovic has agreed to participate in a farewell match for Juan Martin del Potro, marking the end of the latter's professional tennis career. This exhibition match, titled 'The Final Challenge', is scheduled to take place on December 1 at Parque Roca in Buenos Aires. Del Potro, who has faced significant injury challenges, expressed his desire to have his last match in Argentina, and Djokovic responded positively, affirming his commitment to join him. Del Potro, despite only winning one Grand Slam title in 2009, is recognized for his remarkable talent and achievements, including reaching No. 3 in the ATP rankings at his peak. He is notably the only player outside of the Big Three—Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal—to secure a major title between 2005 and 2012. His last ATP match was in February 2022, and he had hoped to retire at the US Open, but injuries prevented that. The rivalry between Djokovic and Del Potro has been significant, with Djokovic acknowledging that his greatest success was defeating Del Potro in the 2018 US Open final. Conversely, Del Potro humorously noted his own success against Djokovic at the Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in 2012 and eliminated Djokovic in the first round of the 2016 Rio Games. This upcoming match not only serves as a tribute to Del Potro's career but also highlights the mutual respect and camaraderie between the two players. It promises to be an emotional event for fans and players alike, celebrating Del Potro's contributions to tennis and his legacy in the sport.