Schwartzman approaching 'new life', excited for last hurrah at US Open

The smile on Diego Schwartzman’s face said it all Thursday afternoon. The Argentine had just successfully battled through qualifying into the US Open main draw, the first time he has won through major qualifying since 2014 at Roland Garros.

The emotion on the 32-year-old’s face as he held his arms in the air was reminiscent of when he won his four ATP Tour titles more than someone qualifying for a tournament. But there was a reason why.

This US Open will be Schwartzman’s final Grand Slam tournament and he is eager to make it a special one.

“Some games during the match, I [was] feeling like, ‘This is the last time, so okay, be quiet and just enjoy’, not feeling like the way that a competitor is supposed to be in the match,” Schwartzman said. “I think I did very well the last three matches, and that's why I won. At the end, you have to play much better than than the opponent. And I think I did. I did great. I found a way to to play with [those] emotions.”

In May, Schwartzman announced his plan to retire in Argentina next February. It will bring to a close a memorable career in which the Argentine has won 250 tour-level matches, competed in the Nitto ATP Finals in 2020 and ascended to No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings.

“How many moments I never imagined, how many anecdotes I never dreamed of, how many people I met who helped me grow, who taught me so much, who made me a much better player and person than anyone ever thought I would be, including me,” Schwartzman wrote on social media at the time of his announcement. “Every corner of the court, every second training, every point competing, every moment I was immensely happy. I lived it with such intensity that today it is difficult for me to maintain it.”

Schwartzman reiterated that Thursday, when he explained that he has given everything during his career. He does not regret his decision and is happy to be leaving the sport on his own terms.

“I’m making the decision to stop,” Schwartzman said. “I’m very happy with that. No injury, no nothing. Okay, I decided to because I'm tired, because I'm feeling like I cannot be the competitor I've been before. And for me, it's great.

“Now playing the main draw in the last Grand Slam, after three qualies I lost this year in the Grand Slams, it's good.”

Flushing Meadows has been “a great place” for Schwartzman over the years. The 5’7” right-hander made the quarter-finals in 2017 and 2019. He has earned wins in New York against stars including 2014 champion Marin Cilic and finalists Kevin Anderson and Alexander Zverev.

It has been an unusual experience for Schwartzman, who had not played qualifying at the US Open since 2013. But he is enjoying every moment regardless.

“My mom is here. She was here when I did quarters,” Schwartzman said. “It’s a different way, coming to qualies, going to the bus... with a lot of people, it's different, being honest. Less people in the qualies watching you.

“But at the same time, players [have been] coming to me saying, ‘It’s your Grand Slam, let's go. Keep pushing’. And it was good. I feel like, for me, it's one more. But at the same time, sometimes in a different time of the same day, I'm feeling, ‘Okay, it's the last’. So it's weird. But I'm feeling okay. I'm enjoying [it].”

Before qualifiers were placed in the draw, the former World No. 8 was clear with his hopes. He wanted a fun matchup.

“I hope to play on a big court,” Schwartzman said with a smile.

While he does not yet know which court he will compete on, his opponent will be another former Top 10 player, Gael Monfils. It is one of the most tantalising matchups of the first round, with both men gritty competitors who leave everything on the court to thrill the fans.

"It’s going to be super fun. A match that i wanted to have for sure to enjoy in a big stadium," Schwartzman said. "Gael is one of the best and for sure the showman that anyone wants to play. Hope to have a great match and enjoy with him and the crowd every single point."

It will be another opportunity for Schwartzman to show why he has become a crowd favourite over the years.

“For me, it was special, receiving a lot of messages and good things about me,” Schwartzman said of fans’ response to his retirement announcement. “It’s different, [the] ways that I felt the last few months. But for me, I think I made the right decision. I'm happy with the decision so far.”

Recently engaged to Eugenia De Martino, Schwartzman is heading towards a new chapter on and off the court.

“New life! New life is coming,” Schwartzman said. “Coming with a lot of emotions. So, yeah, going to the 35 I hope to also have family and everything. So it's a new life.”