Del Potro fractures kneecap after fall in Shanghai

US Open runner-up Juan Martin del Potro has suffered a fractured right kneecap following his fall during a match in Shanghai, his spokesman has said in a statement.

Del Potro, who has been unlucky with injuries throughout his career, retired from his round-of-16 match against Borna Coric on Thursday after falling heavily.

The statement said that “the medical studies carried out on Saturday showed that Juan Martin del Potro suffered a fracture of his right patella bone in Shanghai. In the coming days, the doctors will evaluate the recovery process needed to return.”

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The 30-year-old Argentine, who is ranked fourth in the world and had been enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, is wearing a splint on his right leg.

“It’s a very difficult moment,” he said. “I feel very sad. It’s a hard blow that leaves me without strength.

“It’s very difficult for me to think about recovery again, I did not expect this to happen.”

The injury is especially disheartening given Del Potro is set to play the ATP Finals for the first time since 2013.

The prestigious eight-player event is scheduled for London’s O2 Arena on 11-18 November – less than one month away.

Earlier this season, Del Potro won back-to-back titles in Acapulco and Indian Wells, reached semifinals at Roland Garros and Miami and the quarters at Wimbledon to boost his ranking to a career-high mark of No.3 in mid August.

He also reached finals in Auckland, Los Cabos and Beijing, contributing to a season win-loss record of 47-13.

Del Potro is the second player to sustain the freak injury in 2018.

In April, Thanasi Kokkinakis stumbled on an advertising sign at the back of the court in Monte Carlo, landing on his left knee heavily and suffering a hairline fracture.