Schwartzman explains what set Nadal apart from the rest: "He is the one who.."

Óscar Belloch | 1 Mar 2025 | 22.00

Diego Schwartzman in his last professional match, in February 2025. Photo: Getty

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Depending on how you see it, you could consider yourself fortunate to have shared a tennis career with the three greatest players in history. For some, it will be a privilege, while for others, it will be a nightmare with barely any opportunities to lift titles. Diego Schwartzman is one of those players who, perhaps in another generation, could have won more than the four ATP titles he achieved in his career. We will never know, but he is here to explain what it felt like to step onto the court when facing Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, or Roger Federer.

Diego Schwartzman played against Djokovic seven times and didn't win any. He faced Federer four times without a win. However, he encountered Nadal twelve times and won once. It was in the quarter-finals of the Rome 2020 Masters 1000 when 'El Peque' rose to the occasion and played his best to defeat the Spaniard 6-2 7-5. Schwartzman spoke to ESPN to describe what it was like for him to play against Rafa Nadal.

- A Different Player

Diego is a racquet prodigy. With his short stature of just 170 centimeters, he managed to intimidate the big stars of the ATP circuit. In an era dominated by big servers, he was one of the few exceptions who perfectly adapted to exploit his strengths during each tournament. Regarding Rafa, 'El Peque' confirmed that "he was the one who inspired the most respect when stepping onto the court." Additionally, he expressed feeling a sense of defeat before even starting to play: "I don't know how to explain it, but against him, it felt like I was already a bit defeated when stepping onto the court, as if I was already beaten from the start," stated the Argentine.

Diego Schwartzman played his last match against the Spaniard Pedro Martínez on February 13th at the ATP Buenos Aires, in his hometown. He lost 6-2 6-2 but left a strong impression, especially with his victory in the first round against Nicolás Jarry (7-6 4-6 6-3).

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