Interview with Diego Schwartzman: "Everyone has done something for the history of Argentine tennis"
Diego Schwartzman was able to reach the final in two tournaments at the 2022 South American clay court tour. In an exclusive interview with tennisnet.com , the Argentine talks about the importance of tennis in his home country, the departure of Juan Martin del Potro and his personal goals for the future.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 28, 2022, 11:21 am
Mr. Schwartzman, you just played the Golden Swing tournaments in your home country of South America. As a specialist in clay court tournaments and considering the sometimes not so full draws: Is the pressure in these tournaments particularly great for you?
I think I did well in the South American tournaments. It's always something special for me, especially since we have two tournaments in Argentina at the moment, in Cordoba and then in Buenos Aires. But it's also difficult because I always try to do my best. At the same time, all the people who are in the tournaments have known me since I was very young and they also want to see me do my best. So I try to be prepared for that. Sometimes I lose, sometimes not: but it's the fourth year in a row that I've reached at least one final in my country - and I'm very happy about that. I also played in Rio de Janeiro and reached the final there against (Note Carlos) Alcaraz. I think it was another great clay court season in South America - and it was very special.
At the tournament in Buenos Aires, your compatriot Juan Martin del Potro announced something like the end of his career. How do you assess his career?
I think Juan Martin del Potro was something very special and very important for us, for Argentine and Latin American tennis. For me, for all Argentine players and for the Argentine audience, it was sad to see that he wasn't performing at 100 percent. His knee condition was obviously difficult but he wants to play. I think he felt very comfortable here with his compatriots, that was the most important thing at the tournament in Buenos Aires. I hope that he might find a way to be on the pitch a few more times.
What do you think about the popularity of tennis in Argentina? Have you experienced a change through the successful era of Juan Martin del Potro and David Nalbandian and of course through yourself?
No, I think Argentina has a lot of players, not just Juan Martin and David Nalbandian. I think they are among the best, but we have a lot, a lot in the top ten, a lot in the top 20, in the top 50 and in the top 100. When I started playing tennis, had we have a lot of players in the top 100 who have been in the finals of various tournaments almost every week. So I think everyone has done something for the history of Argentine tennis.
Last year you won on home soil here in Buenos Aires. Is this your greatest - or at least your most emotional - triumph?
Yes, it was very emotional and important for me to win in Argentina, in Buenos Aires. I think that was one of the most special moments in my career and a very emotional moment.
It will be a nice challenge for the players who don't belong to the new generation anymore to play against them.
Diego Schwartzman on the NextGen
You are now between the old and the new generation. Do you feel a lot of pressure from the generation after you? How do you see your chances against Sinner, Alcaraz and even Tsitsipas?
I think it's great for tennis that there's a new generation that's doing great. As you said, Sinner, Alcaraz and Tsitsipas are three of the best of the young generation. They play so fast, they hit the ball so clean and play very, very hard. It will be a nice challenge for the players who don't belong to the new generation anymore to play against them. Let's see what happens in the next few years, but for tennis and for all the people who follow every tournament every week, having new players is very important.
With the 2022 season still young, are the European clay courts - and ultimately the French Open - the tournaments you want to focus on the most?
In recent years I have played very well on hard court. So I think I'm more focused on each and every tournament that I'm going to play. Of course, in the clay court season - when I can play my best tennis - I can achieve great things. But in recent years I've won more matches on hard court, so I'm concentrating on both.
Last year at the Masters tournaments leading up to Roland Garros you didn't quite live up to your expectations I suppose. Is there anything you want to change by 2022?
No, no, I don't have to change anything. I have to carry on as before. It's very difficult though, but that's what I have to do: stay focused, keep going and try to do my best every week.
I think everyone is looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch and seeing him do his best.
Schwatzman on Dominic Thiem's upcoming comeback
You and Dominic Thiem are the same age, and a good friendship has developed between you over the years. What do you think we can expect from Dominic in 2022 given his current injury woes?
First of all, I want to see him back on the pitch with us, you know. It's very important that he comes back and is healthy. I think he will play great. He's one of the best, he won a Grand Slam tournament less than two years ago. So it will be nice to see him back on the pitch. I hope that can happen soon. I think everyone is looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch and seeing him do his best.
In 2020 you got your only win against a member of the 'Big Three', beating Rafael Nadal in Rome. When you look back, what does it take to beat one of these outstanding athletes?
I don't know how to answer that. I think it's very difficult to play against them. Sometimes you feel like you can win the game, but in the end they win the match and then they win the tournament. So it's difficult to say how to win against these types of players. But I hope that I can beat them a few more times in the next few years.
You've reached something like halfway through your professional career, some would say the prime age to play tennis. Looking ahead to the next five game years or even more, are there any major milestones that you're still dying to achieve?
Like I said, I'm very focused and I'm trying to keep doing my best and playing my best tennis in many tournaments. It's very difficult to be consistent in tennis and to be ready every year, at every tournament. I think that's my goal: to be healthy and carry on as before. That's my goal at the moment.