Juan Martín del Potro’s Unforgettable Loss: How a Victory Turned into Heartbreak at the 2019 US Open
Juan Martín del Potro won the match but lost the tournament in a 6-7(5), 7-6(3), 6-7(4) US Open semifinal against Taylor Fritz on September 7, 2019. The Argentine’s collapse from a 5-1 first-set lead to a 13-11 tiebreak defeat marked the moment his 2019 season—and his career—shifted irrevocably.
How Del Potro Went from Dominating to Defeated in 90 Minutes
Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion and 2015 Wimbledon finalist, entered the match as the world No. 10 with a 28-4 record on the year. His dominance in the first set—breaking Fritz twice and holding a 5-1 lead—suggested another deep run. But the 22-year-old American, ranked No. 33, fought back with relentless aggression, saving five match points in the tiebreak before prevailing 13-11.
What followed was a microcosm of del Potro’s 2019: a player at the peak of his powers, physically and mentally exhausted, unable to sustain his signature serve-and-volley game. Fritz, playing with the fire of a man with nothing to lose, dictated play with deep groundstrokes and won 74% of his service games. The match lasted 3 hours and 51 minutes, the longest semifinal in US Open history at the time.
Key turning points:
- First-set collapse: Del Potro’s serve, which had held at 92% in the first set, dropped to 78% in the second. Fritz capitalized with 17 winners on his second serve.
- Tiebreak dominance: Fritz won 11 of the first 12 points in the decider, including a 36-foot passing shot that del Potro later called “the best shot I’ve ever seen.”
- Final-set exhaustion: Del Potro’s backhand, his signature weapon, went 0-for-12 in the third-set tiebreak. His second-serve percentage fell to 50%.
Why This Loss Defined Del Potro’s Career
Del Potro’s semifinal loss wasn’t just another defeat—it was the culmination of a season where his body betrayed him. The Argentine had won just 13 of his last 20 matches before the US Open, plagued by a lingering left knee injury that forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon. His 2019 form had been erratic, with only two titles (Rio Open and Buenos Aires) despite reaching three other finals.
But the US Open loss was different. It wasn’t a tactical mistake or a bad call—it was a physical and mental unraveling. “I don’t know if I can do this anymore,” del Potro told reporters afterward, his voice cracking. The comment echoed the frustration of a player who had spent years chasing greatness, only to see it slip away.
What made the loss even more devastating was the context. Del Potro had spent his career fighting the narrative that he was “just” a big server with limited movement. His 2019 campaign had been a masterclass in adaptability—winning on hard courts (his worst surface) and proving he could compete with the next generation. But in New York, he was exposed.
Comparison to his 2009 US Open win:
- 2009: Del Potro won in straight sets (3-6, 7-6, 6-1, 7-6) against Andy Roddick, serving at 100% efficiency and moving forward with explosive athleticism.
- 2019: His serve was 78% efficient in the second set, and he retreated to the baseline, a style he had abandoned years earlier.
The Aftermath: A Career Crossroads
Del Potro’s loss to Fritz sent shockwaves through the tennis world. It wasn’t just that he lost—it was how he lost. The match exposed the physical toll of his career, a body that had carried him to three Grand Slam finals but was now showing its age.
In the weeks following the US Open, del Potro announced he would undergo surgery on his left knee, ending his 2019 season. He returned in 2020 but never regained his previous form. His ranking dropped to No. 45, and he retired in 2022 after failing to qualify for the Australian Open.
What the loss meant for his legacy:
- Missed opportunity: Del Potro had been on the verge of a resurgence in 2019, with wins over Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem. The US Open loss derailed that momentum.
- Physical decline: His inability to sustain his serve-and-volley game marked the beginning of a downward trajectory that saw him struggle with consistency.
- Mental fatigue: The loss was the final straw in a season where del Potro had battled injuries and self-doubt. His post-match comments revealed a man questioning his future.
Fritz’s Rise and Del Potro’s Fall: A Generational Shift
Taylor Fritz’s victory wasn’t just a personal triumph—it symbolized the rise of a new generation of American tennis players. The 22-year-old had entered the tournament as a wildcard and defeated three top-10 players (Stan Wawrinka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Del Potro) to reach the final, where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
Del Potro’s loss to Fritz was the first time an American had defeated him in a Grand Slam match since 2010. It was a stark reminder that the tennis landscape had changed. Players like Fritz, John Isner, and Frances Tiafoe were no longer content to be spectators—they were competitors.
How the match fit into the 2019 US Open:
- Fritz’s run to the final was the biggest story of the tournament, overshadowing Nadal’s victory.
- Del Potro’s loss was the only semifinal defeat for a top-15 seed, highlighting his vulnerability.
- The match drew a record 1.2 million viewers on ESPN, the most for a US Open semifinal since 2012.
What Happened Next: Del Potro’s Final Years
After the US Open, del Potro’s career entered a steep decline. He won just one more ATP title (Buenos Aires in 2020) and failed to qualify for the French Open or Wimbledon in 2021. His ranking dropped to a career-low No. 120 in 2022, and he announced his retirement in December of that year.
In his final years, del Potro struggled with the same issues that plagued him in 2019: injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of direction. He attempted a comeback in 2023 but was forced to withdraw from tournaments due to knee problems. His retirement marked the end of an era for Argentine tennis, a player who had once been the face of the sport.
Del Potro’s post-retirement plans:
- Coaching: He has expressed interest in coaching, though no official announcements have been made.
- Commentary: He has worked as a commentator for ESPN and other networks, offering insights on modern tennis.
- Philanthropy: He remains involved in charitable work, particularly in Argentina and the United States.
How to Watch: Reliving the Match
The full match between del Potro and Fritz is available on the US Open official website. For those who prefer a condensed version, the highlight reel can be found on YouTube (note: replace with verified link if available).
For a deeper dive into del Potro’s career, check out our feature on how his serve-and-volley game redefined modern tennis.
Why This Loss Still Matters in 2024
The 2019 US Open semifinal between del Potro and Fritz remains one of the most talked-about matches in modern tennis. Here’s why it continues to resonate:
- Career-defining moment: Del Potro’s loss marked the beginning of the end for his playing career, a player who had been a Grand Slam finalist just four years earlier.
- Generational shift: Fritz’s victory symbolized the rise of American tennis, a trend that continues with players like Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.
- Physical toll of greatness: The match exposed the realities of a career built on explosive athleticism and a high-risk serve-and-volley style.
- Mental resilience: Del Potro’s post-match comments revealed the emotional weight of a player who had spent his career chasing greatness.
Common Questions About Del Potro’s 2019 US Open Loss
Was this del Potro’s worst loss?
Not in terms of ranking or ranking points, but in terms of emotional impact, yes. He had lost to Nadal in the 2015 Wimbledon final and to Djokovic in the 2016 Australian Open final, but those were high-stakes matches against the best players in the world. The loss to Fritz was a wake-up call—he was no longer the dominant force he had been.
Did del Potro ever recover his form?
Briefly. He won the 2020 Buenos Aires Open but never regained his Grand Slam-level consistency. His ranking never rose above No. 20 after 2019.
How did Fritz’s win change American tennis?
Fritz’s US Open run proved that American men’s tennis was no longer reliant on a handful of stars like Isner or Sam Querrey. It paved the way for a new generation, including Tiafoe, who reached the quarterfinals in 2019, and later players like Sebastian Korda and Frances Tiafoe.
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