Former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro is to undergo surgery on his troublesome left wrist for a third time in a bid to cure the problem once and for all.
The Argentinian, who was triumphant at Flushing Meadows in 2009, has only played four matches this year since making his comeback in January from a second surgery on his wrist.
He admitted to feeling pain in the area during his last outing at the Miami Open in March and is now convinced that going under the knife is the best option if he wants to resume his career.
"Obviously this wasn't an easy decision to take as this is third time in the same wrist"
"Since my last tournament in Miami, when I left the court, my sensations weren't good. I felt bad throughout the whole tournament," he said in a YouTube video.
"The whole situation made me realise that it wasn't wise to go on in that condition, that I didn't deserve to step onto a tennis court with pain in the wrist again.
"Even though it's not a nice situation and with all the frustration that it means, even knowing that the upcoming weeks will be tough for me I've decided to commit myself again and undergo surgery, hoping it will be the final solution, hoping I will have my wrist healed for good.
"Obviously this wasn't an easy decision to take as this is third time in the same wrist."
The big-serving 26-year-old is optimistic of curing the chronic injury with the help of his doctor, who helped Del Potro overcome problems with his right wrist earlier in his career.
"I know that my doctor is one of the best in the world," added Del Potro.
"He supported me while I was looking for other options. That makes me feel relieved.
"I did look for alternatives, other diagnosis as well. But all in all, it ends at the same place if I want to play tennis again, and that is to face the surgery again under the guidance of of the doctor I trust, the one who healed my right hand.
"Thanks to him I was able to play many more years using my healthy right wrist."
