Schwartzman Amicably Splits With Coach Chela

After seven years together, Diego Schwartzman and coach Juan Ignacio Chela are going their separate ways. The 31-year-old Schwartzman has spent the majority of his professional career with Chela, a fellow Argentine, and reached a career-high Pepperstone ATP Ranking of No. 8 in 2020 under his guidance.

Chela, a former Top 20 player himself, announced the split in a heartfelt Instagram post on Friday.

"One day the phone rang and without knowing it, it was the beginning of a new stage in my life as a coach," he wrote in Spanish.

"Today, after seven years, the time has come for each of us to go our own way. I just want to say thank you and wish you the best in everything to come. I will continue watching you and cheering you on in every match."

Schwartzman replied to Chela's post with an equally emotional comment: "I love you Juanito! And this is a word that those who know me know that it is hard for me to say, but what these years were like..." he wrote, also in Spanish. 

"Many coaches formed me when I was a kid and I met incredible people. But the conviction that you generated in me inside and outside the court was unique. Every moment, every laugh, every match, every training session. We always had a good time... good? AMAZING."