ATP Finals 2020: Diego Schwartzman and the horror group - "They prefer to play in the hall"
Diego Schwartzman will make his debut at the ATP Finals against Novak Djokovic on Monday. A prelude to three games that the Argentine would have liked to avoid.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Nov 16, 2020, 12:34 am
That's how it is with wishes: sometimes they come true and sometimes they don't. Diego Schwartzman's second case occurred on Thursday evening. Because the Argentine had wanted a group with Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the run-up to the ATP Finals .
But things should turn out differently at the draw, Schwartzman will compete in the British capital with Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev - a real horror group for the man from Buenos Aires, who will naturally face the challenge.
No win against Djokovic yet
"They prefer to play indoors than the players in the other group," said the 28-year-old, explaining his wish on Media Day. "But I also said that each group would be difficult. I only just missed the other group, Rublev and I were a" couple ". They pulled me and not him. But the group is what it is ", Schwartzman didn't want to bury his head in the sand about the draw.
Because the world number ninth has been in the shape of his life for some time and played his way through to the semi-finals in Roland Garros, among others. A little over a month later, Schwartzman lost a few kilometers to the east to Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Paris-Bercy.
According to the Gaucho, the conditions in London are more favorable to the gaucho than those in the French capital: "The good thing is that it is a little slower here than in Paris. In addition, he is currently playing "very good" tennis and is therefore in good spirits to be able to provide one or two surprises in the "Tokyo 1970 Group".
Schwartzman's opening win at the ATP Finals would not only be a surprise, but even a small sensation. The 28-year-old will face industry leader Novak Djokovic on his debut in the O2 arena. The South American has not yet won five duels against the Serbs.
Schwartzman believes in his chance
"Against 'Nole' you always have to be 100 percent. It's difficult to be tactically better than him. You just have to go on the court and give 100 percent. If he doesn't get his best day, you will find a few options . Then he doesn't get a good feeling, "said Schwartzman.
The 28-year-old is hopeful that it will also be Djokovic's first game at the 2020 ATP Finals: "The first match is always difficult for all players." There were no easy games at the season finale anyway: "We're the eight best players on the tour this year. Every match here is more than difficult."
ATP Finals 2020 London: All information, TV, draw, prize money
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