Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro paid an emotional goodbye to tennis after a farewell exhibition match against Novak Djokovic in Argentina.

The 36-year-old won his sole major title in 2009 but his career was blighted by injuries.

The Argentine fractured his knee in 2019 - an injury that he says has left him with daily pain - and played in his final tournament in 2022.

But he participated in 'The Last Challenge' in Buenos Aires against long-time rival and good friend Djokovic and about 15,000 watched Del Potro win 6-4 7-5.

Del Potro was in tears several times during the match and shared a long hug with Djokovic at the end.

He then laid his iconic bandana, which he wore throughout his career, on the middle of the net.

"I do not know a person who does not love Juan Martin del Potro," Djokovic said.

"Juan Martin is an example for all of us, and his greatest victory in life is being a wonderful person."

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Gael Monfils were featured in a video tribute to the Argentine.

Del Potro beat five-time defending champion Federer to win the US Open in 2009.

He reached the final in New York again in 2018 but lost to Djokovic.

A popular player with a huge forehand, Del Potro won two Olympic medals - bronze in 2012 and silver four years later.

He claimed 22 ATP singles titles in his career and was as high as number three in the world rankings.

However, a wrist injury derailed his career after his US Open victory before he seriously injured his knee at Queen's in 2019.

Del Potro released a video on Instagram last week, external discussing the long-term impact injuries have had on his body.

"My daily life isn't what I would like it to be. It's very tough. There are moments where I have no more strength," he said.

"I'm not indestructible. I have good things, bad things but most of the time I have to fake it and put on a good face, but many times I feel terrible.

"Since that moment [after surgery in 2019], I was never able to climb stairs without pain.

"I hurts when I drive, it hurts many times when I go to sleep. It's been a never-ending nightmare."