Report: Juan Martin del Potro considering knee surgery

Juan Martin del Potro is deciding whether to withdraw from next week's Miami Open and have knee surgery, indicates Argentine newspaper La Nacion.

The 30-year-old fractured his kneecap last October at Shanghai and only returned a few weeks ago at Delray Beach, where he experienced more pain. He then withdrew from this week's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, but said he was aiming to play next week in Miami.

According to the newspaper, del Potro has consulted with several specialists since his comeback, and has been undergoing PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy on the knee. But limited success has led him to consider the possibility of surgery, which, according to various experts quoted by La Nacion, would sideline him for four to six months.

Del Potro has already had several extended layoffs in his career, including for right wrist surgery in 2010, and for three left wrist procedures in the following years. In 2018, he won his first Masters title at Indian Wells, reached the final of the US Open and earned a career-high ranking of No. 3—before getting injured again.

During Delray Beach, del Potro acknowledged he was not "100 percent," but returned because he "did not want to be at home watching tournaments on TV" again.

The Argentine is No. 5 in the rankings.