“Takes The Rhythm Away”: Diego Schwartzman Wary of Big Servers at ATP Finals 2020

Diego Schwartzman is a very happy man right now. He’s achieved his first ATP Finals qualification and it is a well-deserved one. The Argentine has been in sublime form and is looking forward to the tournament in London. But he’s not entirely happy about the conditions or the group he’s put in.

ATP recently announced the two groups and the comprising players for the year-end tournament. World No.1 Novak Djokovic leads ‘Group Tokyo 1970’ which includes Schwartzman, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev. 

On the other hand, Rafael Nadal’s ‘Group London 2020’ comprises the talents of Andrey Rublev, Dominic Thiem, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. As usual, two standout participants from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, after which we will be treated to the Grand Final. 

After the groups were revealed, Diego Schwartzman immediately knew he’s in for a challenge. Of course, these are the eight best players in the world, but the 28-year-old is up against three massive servers. Here’s how he reflected on his group stage matches: 

“With those who touched me in the group I think the big difference is that they are all very good servers and that takes the rhythm away from the game and I will have than to engineer them in another way,” Schwartzman mentioned (Quotes translated from Spanish via Google). 

Diego Schwartzman is a bit disappointed to have earned his maiden qualification in 2020

Every athlete competing in the ATP circuit wants to make it to the year-end tournament. It holds a lot of prestige and garners a lot of fame for the participants. Schwartzman has been around since 2010, but this is the first time he’ll be competing in the ATP Finals. 

Though Schwartzman is overjoyed to have earned a spot in this year’s tournament, the conditions aren’t really favorable for anyone. The event will commence without any fans in attendance and no player wants to compete in an empty arena. 

“It’s really a shame to have qualified under these conditions. I would have liked to be with my family in such a beautiful moment and play with the public … not to mention. But we are lucky that the tournament takes place and that’s what it’s worth,” Schwartzman said. 

However, he realizes the magnitude of the event and what it takes to be a part of it. Even though Schwartzman failed to win a title in 2020, he’s absolutely at the top of his game. The Argentine reflected on his season and compared it to where he was this time last year: 

“In previous years at this point I was already on vacation and now I am training more than ever, so that already makes it a different tournament. I hope to have a good end of the year playing against the best of the season,” mentioned Schwartzman.

It has certainly been a strange year, but one should be grateful to watch tennis activities take place amid these difficult conditions. The Nitto ATP Finals 2020 will begin November 16, and Diego Schwartzman takes on Novak Djokovic at the center court in O2 Arena, London.