"Enjoy your next stage": Rafael Nadal sends heartfelt message to Diego Schwartzman after retirement from tennis

Former world number one Spain’s Rafael Nadal has sent a heartfelt message to Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman. The 32-year-old earlier announced that he would retire from professional tennis after taking part in the ongoing Argentina Open.

Schwartzman’s journey in the competition concluded as he lost in round 16 to Spain’s Pedro Martinez in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday. Nadal, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles, and has also recently retired from the sport, has sent a congratulatory message to the Argentinian tennis star.

“Congratulations @dieschwartzman on your great race! You have been a great example of struggle and overcoming and I am glad that we have shared so many moments on the circuit. Enjoy your next stage,” he wrote.

The two famously faced off in the semifinal of the French Open in 2020, where the former world number one came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 7-6. Interestingly, it was Schwartzman’s best performance in a Grand Slam in his career.

Schwartzman finished his career with four titles to his name. His last title also came in 2021 in Buenos Aires, where he defeated fellow countryman Francisco Cerundolo in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-2. He managed to reach his career-best ranking of eight in 2020.

Schwartzman spoke to ATP’s official website after the contest, where he expressed pride in his career and stated that he had achieved more than he had ever dreamed of. “I understood my body, I understood my head,” he said. “I knew I had been exhausted for a while and that I couldn’t keep up what I had always managed to do... I achieved much more than I ever dreamed of.”