Diego Schwartzman jokes with Rafael Nadal: 'Thanks for letting me
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Diego Schwartzman ended his career in front of the home fans in Buenos Aires. The Argentine struggled to find his A-game for over two years and decided to end his tennis journey in front of the partisan crowd.
Many colleagues sent Diego to retirement with warm words and congratulations to everything he has achieved. The 22-time Major winner Rafael Nadal was among them. The legend, who retired a few months ago, praised his good friend and cherished their memories.
Schwartzman responded and joked with the Spaniard, thanking him for losing once against him! Rafa and Diego shared the court 12 times between 2013 and 2021, embracing ten duels at Majors and Masters 1000 events.
Nadal secured 11 victories, and his only defeat came in the 2020 Rome Masters quarter-final. The Argentine ousted the king of clay 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and three minutes, celebrating one of his career-best triumphs.
El Peque masterclass 🤩
The day @dieschwartzman shocked Rafael Nadal in Rome! pic.twitter.com/Od5yVZtaOV
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 14, 2025
Rafa did not like the conditions at Foro Italico and could not challenge an inspired rival, especially in the opener. The nine-time winner sprayed too many mistakes and struggled to move his opponent from his comfort zone. Diego claimed 54% of the return points.
He converted them into five breaks and got broken two times. Schwartzman fired up his strokes and landed 31 winners and 17 unforced errors. Nadal stayed below that pace, embracing a 21-30 ratio and hitting the exit door.
Rafael Nadal & Diego Schwartzman, Rome 2020© Stream screenshot
Nothing separated them in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes. Diego took charge in the more extended once and outplayed the king of clay 49-31. They served well in the opening three games before Rafa earned a break chance at 2-1.
The Spaniard played a loose forehand, which would cost him dearly. Schwartzman held and made a push on the return…
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Source : tennisworldusa
