Argentine great Juan Martin del Potro, 33, made a losing return to tennis after a two-and-a-half-year injury absence on Tuesday, beaten in straight sets by compatriot Federico Delbonis in the Argentina Open. 

In what was expected to be one of Del Potro’s final appearances before retiring, the former US Open champion was overcome with emotion towards the end of Delbonis’s 6-1, 6-3 victory. The former World No.3 wiped away tears as he prepared to serve what would turn out to be the final game of the match.