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Juan Martin del Potro to kick off tennis farewell at exhibition event in Hangzhou, China

The former world No. 3 has been back on the practice courts since announcing intention to play one final match at this year’s US Open.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Jun 04, 2023

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live discusses the potential comeback of Juan Martín del Potro at the 2023 US Open.

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It’s been over a year since Juan Martin del Potro has been on the tennis courts, and the former world No. 3’s return to tennis is beginning to take shape.

The former Grand Slam champion enjoyed an emotional retirement ceremony at his home tournament in Buenos Aires last February, as recurring wrist and knee injuries ended his pro career prematurely. The 34-year-old will now officially be back in action at an exhibition event in China, after announcing his participation in the 2023 Hangzhou International Tennis Masters Tournament.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all of my fans in China, and let’s make this event an unbelievable experience for everyone. See you soon!” the Argentine said in a video statement.

Marat Safin, Carlos Moya and David Ferrer will join Del Potro at the event, with Emma Raducanu appointed as an ambassador. Chinese tennis players including Li Zhe, He Yecong, Wang Xiaofei and Wang Fa will also feature at the event, which will take place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center on June 22-25.

The exhibition event will mark the unofficial start of tennis’ return to China after a four-year absence. Hangzhou previously hosted a WTA event from 2004 until 2019, when all tournaments were suspended amid the country’s zero-COVID policy. The WTA Tour then further halted operations in China for two years due to concerns regarding the safety of Peng Shuai, before the lifting the suspension in April.

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, said in April that his biggest goal is “to play an official match” at the season’s final Grand Slam tournament and bid farewell to the sport on his own terms.

“I don’t know if I will be 100 percent or not but, at least, if my last tennis match ever has to be this year, I want it to be at the US Open,” the 34-year-old told AP.

“I will work hard for the last time, maybe, in my career, and then you never know. God will decide if I’m ready or not.”