Tennis superstars lead tributes to Diego Schwartzman as he calls time on career

The Former world No. 8 retired from professional tennis after a 6-2, 6-2 defeat to Pedro Martinez at ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires.

Whilst the Argentine was a tricky opponent for many on the tour, rivalries have been put aside, and messages have been shared across social media - displaying the utmost respect for the diminutive Schwartzman, who was a much-loved player on the ATP Tour.

Tennis great and 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal was one of the first to post, taking to X and Instagram, writing: "Congrats @dieschwartzman on your great career! You've been a great example of fighting and overcoming, and I'm glad we shared so many moments on the tour. Enjoy your next stage!"

Schwartzman replied to the heartwarming post from the Spanish legend, commenting: "Rafa! Thank you for letting me share so many moments on and off the court," going on to state "You are, were, and will be a legend forever. You taught tennis a lot, and thank you for once letting me beat you!"

Likewise, world No 1 Jannik Sinner - who has previously teamed up in doubles with Schwartzman - posted on X: "What a career. What a person. All the best for a new chapter, @dieschwartzman."

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was also among those paying respect to a, somewhat unlikely, successful career. Posting to Instagram, the Serb simply stated: "Friend, congratulations on an incredible race."

Four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, who faced the Argentine en route to his first ATP 500 title, posted on his Instagram story: "Huge @dieschwartzman! Congratulations on your great career!"

The former No. 8 replied: "Idol Charly, thank you. Beautiful memories of these share years. The best for what's coming."

The ATP Tour also uploaded a retirement tribute to Schwarztman featuring clips of many current and past players.

Stars such as 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro featured.

"It has always been such a pleasure to play against you, all those matches, to spend time with you. I will really miss it," said the Austrian.

Former world No. 3, and fellow Argentine, stated: "I want to thank you for all these years of great tennis. I hope you are happy."

Diego Schwartzman may not have won a Masters 1000 or a Grand Slam, but he was sure to leave his mark on the tennis world.

Despite a disrupted year, 2020 was his best year in terms of results.

Schwartzman reached the final of the Rome Masters, beating 10-time champion Rafael Nadal in a straight-sets, before losing a tight match to Novak Djokovic. The successful week placed him in the top 10 for the first time in his career.

Just two weeks later, the Argentine reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at the delayed Roland Garros - the shortest male singles player to do so since 1980.

In the quarter-finals, he defeated defending US Open champion Dominic Thiem 6-2 in the fifth after over five hours of high-quality ball-striking - falling to Rafael Nadal in the last four.

The impressive results qualified Schwartzman for the Nitto ATP Finals, also for the first time in his career.

The former world No. 8 won four titles during his career - three ATP 250s and an ATP 500 title in Rio.

Overall, the recently-retired player gathered thirteen top-10 victories across his career.

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