Despite his exit in the third round, he will always remember his time in the Italian capital after meeting with the Pope, a fellow Argentine, last week -- an experience del Potro said he would "never forget".

CNN: French Open suffers again as Del Potro pulls out

And Del Potro, who said that he suffered from similar wrist tendinitis earlier in the year, pulled up in his match against Melzer to ensure only two of the top six players are left in the draw.

BBC: Del Potro forced to quit Shanghai

"I think Rafa deserved to win, " said del Potro, who has lost eight of his 11 matches with Nadal.

CNN: Nadal battles back for Indian Wells triumph

"The doctor could not make a diagnosis right now, " said Del Potro.

BBC: Lopez draws Spain level in final

"Marin is playing great tennis and I think he did better than me, " said Del Potro, who stunned Roger Federer to win last year's US Open in New York.

BBC: Juan Martin del Potro out of Australian Open

"I played the important points very well in the second set, and that was the key to beating him, " said Del Potro, who has been suffering from an injured toe.

BBC: Djokovic wins to reach last four

"All the credit to him, " said the Serb, who also lost to Juan Martin del Potro at the recent Indian Wells Masters event.

CNN: Haas stuns Djokovic in Miami