Nine years after his first grand slam final, Juan Martin del Potro reached a second as Rafael Nadal retired with knee problems during their US Open semi-final.
The world number one had spent nearly 16 hours on court in reaching the last four, averaging more than four hours a match during the last three rounds, and this proved a step too far.
Nadal had had his right knee taped during his gruelling third-round clash against Karen Khachanov but insisted afterwards it was not a big issue and he appeared in good shape for his next two matches.
Unfortunately, Rafa Nadal has retired after 2 sets in the semifinals, sending Juan Martin del Potro through to the final…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/uegztbgIyl
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018
A downbeat Nadal said: “I had some issues during the tournament. Then I think it was a little bit better.
“I think it was 2-2 in the first, 15-0, that I felt it. I said to my box immediately that I felt something on the knee. After that, I was just trying to see if in some moment the thing can improve during the match. But no, was not the day.
“It was so difficult for me to keep playing, having too much pain. That was not a tennis match at the end. I hate to retire, but to stay one more set out there playing like this will be too much for me.”
The Spaniard had tape applied after seven games only to take it off two games later. But he took a medical time-out after three games of the second set and, as he limped around the court, it became increasingly clear that he was in serious trouble.
They had battled for 69 minutes in the first set before Del Potro eventually took it on a tie-break. The Argentinian had twice been a break up, and held two set points at 5-4, only to allow his opponent back in.
But Nadal was unable to take advantage and immediately after the time-out, with the 32-year-old struggling to cover the court, Del Potro broke again.
9 years later:@delpotrojuan will contest his 2nd Grand Slam final here in Flushing Meadows.
The 2009 champion awaits the winner of Djokovic/Nishikori…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/lPhFY8AafG
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2018
He continued but, after Del Potro won the second set to lead 7-6 (7/3) 6-2, Nadal had one last chat with the trainer, shook his head and offered his hand to his opponent.
Del Potro said: “Of course it’s not the best way to win a match. I love to play against Rafa because he’s the biggest fighter in this sport and I don’t like to see him suffering on court like today so I’m sad for him but I’m also happy to move forward.
“It means a lot to me. I didn’t expect to get in another grand slam final. This is my favourite tournament, my biggest memories on a tennis court came on this court in 2009.”
Nadal is, of course, no stranger to knee pain having suffered recurring problems with tendinitis throughout his career.
He said: “The pain on the knee is always very similar. The problem is this time it was something a little bit more aggressive because it was in one movement.
“I know what is going on with the knee. The good thing is I know how I have to work to be better as soon as possible because we have a lot of experience on that.”
It is the second time this year Nadal has been unable to finish a grand slam match having also retired during his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic after damaging a hip muscle.
The 32-year-old, who has only lost two other matches all season, said: “It’s not about losing. It’s about not having the chance to fight for it. It’s tough, these moments, but I’m going to keep going and keep working hard to keep having opportunities.”
RESPECT ?
Feel better soon, @RafaelNadal! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/kho1G073cM
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) September 7, 2018
Del Potro, a man far too familiar with his body letting him down, is probably the last person who would have wanted to progress in such a manner but surely no player deserves a kind break more.
The Argentinian looked set to be a major rival to the big four when he won the US Open title in 2009 aged just 20, beating Nadal in the semi-finals and Roger Federer in the final.
But six months later he was sidelined by right wrist problems and, having fought back to the top again, then missed the better part of two years when an injury to his left wrist required three operations.
He feared his career was over but instead returned to the sport in 2016, managing the pain and slowly rebuilding his game. Initially able only to hit slice backhands, Del Potro began to trust his two-hander more and, with it, the 29-year-old again became a major force.
Of the now nine grand slams he has played since returning, Del Potro has reached the quarter-finals twice, the semi-finals twice and, at last, another final, where he awaits the winner of Novak Djokovic’s clash with Kei Nishikori.
