A 2020 French Open semifinalist and Italian Open finalist, this former ATP No. 8 defied expectations with sheer perseverance, determination, and grit. Over a decade on tour, he won four ATP Titles (2016 Istanbul Open, 2018 Rio Open, 2019 Los Cabos Open, and 2021 Buenos Aires Open), helped Argentina in Davis Cup tournaments, and pushed the sport’s greatest performers to the edge. After an impressive career, he finally called the curtains on his career. He is Diego Schwartzman, whose retirement brought the tennis celebs in one place, immersed with admiration and respect. The tributes highlighted his legacy in the sport.

Schwartzman retired from the sport after losing at the 2025 Argentina Open’s Round of 16. He played against Pedro Martinez, who defeated him in two straight sets by 6-2 and 6-2. “I understood my body, I understood my head. 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,” he said, reflecting on his decision. However, tennis, like fate, is ever-changing.

Schwartzman, ranked 386 during retirement, reached a career-high position of top 8 in 2020. However, his form went downwards from 2023, placing him outside the ATP top 100. Before the tournament, this Argentinian couldn’t win a match on tour since September 2023. Despite that, he started his campaign well in Buenos Aires, overpowering last year’s runner-up, Chilean Nicolas Jarry in the R32 by 7-6(10), 4-6, 6-3. Although a promising start, he ultimately ended his career in the next round, reminding of his official announcement to retire in Argentina’s Capital, last May.

Post-retirement, Schwartzman reflected on his career, referring to his achievements despite being one of the shortest players on tour at 5’7″. “I have a small body, but it gave the biggest players in our history bad moments,” he said. His hard work and determination made every Argentinian proud. However, like all the good things, his professional career ended at the Court Guillermo Villas today.

Legendary tennis players Gabriela Sabatini and Guillermo Coria attended Schwartzman’s final match and the home crowd cheered him on. While the decision saddened the fraternity, people congratulated the Argentinian star for a great life post-tennis.

From Alexander Zverev to Dominic Thiem, players shower love for Diego Schwartzman on his retirement

After El Paque’s retirement, a nickname that fraternity affectionately offered to Schwartzman, the ATP Tour, and Argentina Open’s official IG handles shared a moment of the former player’s final day on the court. “A fitting finale 🔊🥹Pure goosebumps as Buenos Aires hails one of their own,” they wrote while highlighting the crowd’s immense cheer and support for their star. This video made Alexander Zverev emotional, shared it on his IG story with a heartfelt tribute to Schwartzman. “You will always be a giant of this sport,” he wrote. Zverev, who led his head-to-head with the Argentinian star by 4-2, echoed a deep respect for the latter’s career milestones.

After Zverev, Dominic Thiem echoed a similar sentiment. Standing in front of the iconic Louvre Pyramid, this Austrian player said, “It has always been such a pleasure to play against you all those matches, to spend time with you. I’ll really miss it.” Thiem, who hung his racquet at the 2024 Vienna Open, shared a great camaraderie with the Argentinian. Despite leading the head-to-head by 6-3 against Schwartzman, he bonded with his rival through practice sessions and spending off-court moments. Although his time on tour was over, Thiem couldn’t help but bid goodbye to his friend with an emotional message.

Schwartzman’s retirement received another tribute from his fellow Argentinian rival and a former player, Juan Martin Del Potro. “ I want to say thank you for all these years of great tennis. I hope you are happy,” said Del Potro. His words showcased his admiration for a colleague who supported his career.

“He (Del Potro)’s always sending me messages when I’m doing well. We have a good relationship. We are friends from the tour. It’s sad that he has a lot of injuries,” Schwartzman said when Del Potro struggled with his form in 2020. From mutual admiration to deep respect, Juan Martin Del Potro and Diego Schwartzman’s equation remained inspirational.

After Del Potro, another Argentinian star, Francisco Cerundolo reflected on Schwartzman’s legacy. “He surpassed all the limits that everyone placed on him. I think he never set a limit for himself, that’s why he got to where he got,” he said. Cerundolo’s words shed light on Schwartzman’s perseverance and grit.

The Argentinian ex-player once said, “I had to work so hard off the court so that my opponents did not feel I had less power or my movements were shorter or anything. For sure I know that height is a very important thing playing tennis. But more than 50 per cent the way you win matches comes from what you do away from the court.” His words reflected his intense commitment to the sport as it inspired Cerundolo, who played against Schwartzman four times but couldn’t win once.

After Cerundolo, Tomas Etcheverry, another Argentinian player paid tribute to Schwartzman. “I hope you can enjoy it with all your people, have an amazing time, I wish you the best in this new chapter,” he wished. Etcheverry recently partnered with Schwartzman for the Rio Open doubles but lost to Pedro Cachin and Cerundolo. Despite the heartbreak, he had only best wishes for his doubles partner.

With Diego Schwartzman’s retirement, Argentina witnessed the curtains fall for another star player after Juan Martín del Potro. However, like everything, even brilliant careers have expiry dates. As Diego Schwartzman embarks on life post-tennis, the messages from his peers highlight his legacy in the sport.