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Del Potro will not defend Acapulco title due to ongoing knee concerns

The 30-year-old plans to return to competition at Indian Wells, where he won in 2018.

ByKamakshi Tandon

Published Feb 23, 2019

Del Potro will not defend Acapulco title due to ongoing knee concerns

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Juan Martin del Potro has withdrawn from Acapulco next week, saying he is still not fully fit following a right knee injury.

The Argentine reached the quarterfinals of Delray Beach this week, his first event since fracturing his kneecap at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. His movement appeared hampered during his defeat to Mackenzie McDonald in a third-set tiebreak, and del Potro suggested that he might have slightly rushed his return.

"The doctors say I need time if I want to be 100 percent, but I don’t want to be home watching the tournaments on TV. I’ve done that before and it was really bad for me," he was quoted by the ATP website as telling press. (https://www.atptour.com/en/news/del-potro-reaction-delray-beach-2019-friday) "I played three matches... and that’s the best thing for me. But I’m not in the physical condition to play at this level yet."

Del Potro will not defend Acapulco title due to ongoing knee concerns

Del Potro will not defend Acapulco title due to ongoing knee concerns

© AFP/Getty Images

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Del Potro began the event with some light vertical taping on the knee, but had more wrapping below the knee for his second round and was heavily strapped for the quarterfinals.

"I wanted to do a big effort tonight, [and] had many opportunities, but it’s hard to win matches when you can’t move at 100 percent," he said.

The 30-year-old wants to return to competition at Indian Wells, where he won in 2018 to capture his first Masters title, and also plans to play Miami.

The No.4-ranked del Potro would also have been the defending champion in Acapulco.

Del Potro will not defend Acapulco title due to ongoing knee concerns

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