By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday November 21, 2020
Argentina's Diego Schwartzman's desire has been triggered and he is ready to prove that he belongs among the world's elite after a rough performance at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Photo: AP
Moments after his best season as a pro ended with a difficult defeat to Daniil Medvedev in London, Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman reflected on what he had accomplished—and what he needs to do to keep improving.
The 28-year-old, who made his Top 10 debut and reached his first Grand Slam semi-final in 2020, says that he now feels he belongs among the tour’s elite.
“I think watching this tournament, you know, against the players I played and where I am right now, I think that's means a lot for me, because I feel like I deserve to be here with the best guys on tour,” he told Tennis Now.
But Schwartzman is far from satisfied and says he has realized that he needs to work even harder if he hopes to return to the Nitto ATP Finals and put forth a more impactful performance.
“I won the chance to be here in many tournaments since a few years ago,” he said. “But also I see this week that I have to keep improving, because if not, being here against these guys, it's going to be really tough. I'm really proud because I did many great things in many different weeks this year, but also I have the feeling in my body that I have to improve, because I want to be here again. But to be here again I have to do better.”
Schwartzman, who finishes his campaign with a 25-15 record, says he is ready to put in the hard yards to ensure more top flight achievements on tour in the years to come.
Daniil Medvedev, who rolled to a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the Argentine on Friday, had nothing but praise for Schwartzman’s performance.
“Diego had an amazing season,” he said. “Of course we know that clay is his favorite surface, and this year he -- actually, we didn't have so many clay tournaments, and he delivered on them, a final of a Masters, semifinal of a Grand Slam. That's why he qualified here of course. But we know he's capable of playing on all the surfaces, also. Can make great wins. So, yeah, really happy for him, for his season, honestly. He's a great guy, and happy to see him here.”
Medvedev, who went 0-3 on his Nitto ATP Finals debut in 2019 and has gone 3-0 thus far this year to reach the semifinals, says that Schwartzman should get over his difficulties in London quickly.
“0-3 in your first Masters doesn't mean anything,” he said. “I can say it with my experience that I had last year, so hopefully he can qualify for the next one.”
Schwartzman seems intent on doing just that.
“I don't know [how], but we are going to work hard to find a way to come back here, win the chance to be here again and try to do better than these three matches,” he said.