In tennis, there are champions who manage to gain appreciation from each other thanks to their undisputed human qualities: this is the case of Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro, who have always had an excellent friendship. And the two players also had a training session together in New York, where the US Open will start on Monday.
There was also a nice conversation between the two. Delpo asked Nole if his greatest achievement was winning an Olympic gold medal. Djokovic responded by saying – laughing – that his greatest achievement was beating Juan Martin in the final of the 2018 US Open.
“My greatest achievement was beating you in Rio de Janeiro 2016,” reveals Delpo.
“He beat me twice at the Olympics, also in London. It’s true, Delpo is my nemesis in that tournament, he’s my killer,” explained Djokovic.
But Del Potro’s response later surprised everyone. Juan Martin followed with particular emotion what happened at the last Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
“Djokovic moved me the day of the final, when he won the gold medal. I cried when he won the gold. I have a very close relationship with him, I was very emotional because I knew how much he wanted to win that gold medal. Before starting the tournament, I remember he made a video passing in front of the medals, begging to win it. He finished the job,” said Del Potro.
Now it’s time for Novak Djokovic to think about the US Open: in New York the Serbian will face the defense of the title he won in 2023.
Djokovic while practicing with Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open
“Was winning the gold medal your greatest achievement?”
Novak: “My greatest success ever was beating Juan Martin del Potro in the final of US Open in 2018.” 😂
Juan: “My biggest success was beating you in… pic.twitter.com/OKMBEaqLJm
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 21, 2024