Fede Delbonis, after his emotional retirement from tennis: “I don’t feel like a hero for having won the last point in the Davis Cup”

It’s been almost 17 years Federico Delbonis with racket in hand, traveling the world, making tennis courts his home and having victories, points and trophies as his goal and motivation to move forward. She has experienced difficult times and great joys. And at 33 she decided it was time for a change. The Azuleño, who will forever be remembered as the player who sealed Argentina’s victory in the final of the Davis Cup 2016, brought the curtain down on his career. He said a sporting farewell on pitch 2 Lawn tennis in Buenos Airesin a doubles match Argentina Open 2024 who played (and lost) with his friend Facundo Bagnis. And several hours later, he once again stepped into the brick dust of the mythical Court Guillermo Vilas -the same one where two years ago he was tasked with greeting another Davis champion, Juan Martin del Potro– and received a huge final ovation from his audience.

Delbo, ranked 331st, had an emotional moment on a cool Wednesday night at BALTC. He entered dressed “in plain clothes”, hand in hand with two of his children. He received a replica of the trophy/companion that the champion takes from his hands Martin Jaite. And he posed in front of the cameras with his wife Virginiawho arrived shortly after with the youngest of the family upa. She didn’t give a speech, but the smiles and waves she gave to the people were enough. And he went away screaming “Olé, olé, olé… Delbo… Delboooo” and a shower of applause. There was no sadness, perhaps a little nostalgia for the chapter that is closing. But she assured that she is happy and at peace with her choice of her. And he is ready for a new stage.

“I was honest with myself and with my team. I felt it was time. This is what I wanted. I made a healthy decision and with each passing day I become more and more convinced that it was the right one,” he said in a conversation with Clarion.

“In October last year, after losing in Santa Fe Challenger, I told my team that I would stop, I would not play the other tournaments we had planned and I would go home and think. It took me two months, but I was already totally sure. That time it was to see if at some point the decision would change. If he said so “I want to make all the effort necessary to continue.” And it didn’t happen. I stayed physically just in case. I played football a lot and I enjoyed it. I went to the gym because it’s good for me. But then I was fine with doing everyday things, like picking up my kids or cooking one day. Things that are normal for everyone, but not for us out there. “I really enjoyed that time,” she said.

And he continues: “I think that before I was very cold, in the sense that when I went on a trip, my wife got a little more excited and I was so focused on that goal of going to a game and competing, that evidently she and I missed my children, but I didn’t think about anything other than competing. Today this doesn’t happen to me. I’m at home and I want to stay at home.”

Delbonis played his last singles match in mid-October at the Challenger in Santa Fe, after losing in the quarterfinals to the Czechs. Vit Koprivahe realized that the desire to continue fighting it was no longer the same as before.

“I was clear that if I wanted to continue playing, I had to want it. It wasn’t just about playing tennis or training like I had automatically done. It had to be more of a desire than a routine. I had reached a point where I couldn’t anymore. I felt that I was training as I should have and my daily aches and pains were a little more unbearable than usual. And thinking about rescheduling and going on a trip would have cost me dearly. “Tennis players are always selfish, in a good way, because “We always try to look for what’s good for us and what leads us to improve on the pitch. Today I feel like I’m doing the same thing.” he acknowledged.

Delbonis ended his career with two titles. Champion shouted St. Paul in 2014 and Marrakesh in 2016, the year in which he reached his best ranking position, 33rd place. And he won the most important match in Argentine Davis Cup history: the fifth point against Ivo Karlovicwhich sealed the victory against Croatia in Zagreb and decreed the consecration of the albiceleste. For many fans, who have dreamed of that title for years and years, wedding ring He is “Davis’ hero”.

“Hero… I don’t think so. I was able to play for the last point, the one that gave Argentina the salad bowl, but without the team we had, without the players and without the technical staff they wouldn’t have been possible “, commented. “I am proud of the group we have formed. Many beautiful things happened during that year that will remain in my heart. For me, the Davis Cup week and the period preceding each series are the most beautiful thing in the world. The training sessions, the days with the coaching staff, the conversations… This is what I will remember the most.”

-Was that final in Zagreb the most important moment of your career?

I always try to separate my career into two parts, the individual one and the collective one. And in the group, that was the most beautiful thing I experienced, there’s no need to say it, everyone knows it. I am proud to have been part of the history of Argentine tennis, to be there among so many important figures and names. I’m excited. I think I will value it more as the years go by.

-And on an individual level, was the victory against Roger Federer in the semi-final in Hamburg in 2013 the high point?

I couldn’t say exactly what the strong point was. That triumph is one of the best moments of my personal career. Having been in the same era as Federer, Rafael Nadal AND Novak Djokovic and having played with them is special. Because they marked a milestone in the history of tennis. More than 60 Slams in three people… If you put another 60 players together, I don’t know if we will have them. Having been part of that era is something I will always carry in my heart.

“Now is my family’s time”

Federico Delbonis hung up his racket with the certainty that the time had come for a change. That his time as a player had come to an end and it was time to take on new challenges. But the man from Azulejo doesn’t want to find his new “job” and, for now, he only thinks about having fun.

“Today the only thing that is clear to me is that I want to have time for myself and my family. To be more present as a father and as a husband. I have eternal gratitude for both my children and my wife. Now is their time .” , she assured her.

And he admits: “At the moment I’m not thinking much about what I want to do. I don’t immediately see myself coaching another player and travelling. I don’t know in the future. For now I have some things I’m starting, lots of good projects I’m working on. ” “I’m immersing myself, linked to tennis, to which I want to remain linked. But I want to take my time, think about it carefully and don’t rush because now an unknown phase begins for me, which I will have to learn to live with.”