Diego Schwartzman Eyes One Last Cinderella Run at Flushing Meadows

Tennis fans were treated to a special moment at this year’s US Open as former top-ten player Diego Schwartzman, a beloved figure in the tennis world, took to the court for what could be his final run at Flushing Meadows. The Jewish Argentinian star, affectionately known as "El Peque" due to his 5-foot-7 stature, faced off against Italy’s Andrea Pellegrino in the opening round of the 2024 US Open Qualifying Tournament.

Schwartzman, 32, who once ranked as high as No. 8 in the world, has seen his ranking drop to No. 230. Despite the challenges, he showed flashes of his former brilliance, overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the first set to win 7-5. He then closed out the match 6-3 in the second set, securing a spot in the next round of the qualifiers.

Following his hour-and-39-minute victory, Schwartzman took time to engage with his fans, signing autographs and taking selfies, as they cheered him on in what could be his final appearance at the US Open. If Schwartzman can win two more matches this week, he will secure one of the 16 coveted spots in the tournament's main draw.

The 2024 US Open holds special significance for Schwartzman, who announced earlier this year that he plans to retire after the Argentina Open in February 2025. “It is my last Grand Slam,” Schwartzman told The Jerusalem Post after his match. “One more time trying to enjoy—but this time, it is different. Every time I miss, I want to do better.”

Reflecting on his performance, Schwartzman expressed pride in how he handled his first-round match. “I think I did very well today. It was a good match.”

Schwartzman’s history at the US Open is storied. Since making his main-draw debut in 2014, he has become a fixture at the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals in both 2017 and 2019. However, his streak of 36 consecutive main-draw appearances at Grand Slams ended earlier this year when he missed the 2024 Australian Open. The toll that the sport has taken on his body and mind is evident as Schwartzman prepares to step away from professional tennis.

“The routine, how much time per day, how much time I gave to tennis—I gave everything. There is no more inside. No more energy. The tank is empty,” Schwartzman admitted. “The last few years, I was trying hard—changing teams, coaches, trainers, you know, everything, trying to find a way to improve my tennis. But in the end, it was inside me. So far, I am pretty happy with the decision. Let’s see after a few months without the racket.”

While Schwartzman is uncertain about what the future holds, one thing is clear: he will soon be tying the knot. In June, he announced his engagement to longtime partner Eugenia De Martino, posting a photo of the couple in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Looking back on his career, Schwartzman is content with what he has achieved. With four ATP titles, including the 2021 Argentina Open, and a career-best showing at the 2020 French Open where he reached the semifinals, Schwartzman has much to be proud of. He has also left a lasting legacy in his native Buenos Aires, where the main court at the HaCoaj club’s tennis complex is named in his honor.

“It is emotional. It is where I grew up. And they already made a lot of Challenger tournaments there. It is great to have my name when they are giving the trophy to the champion,” he said. “It is at the same time funny and it is a great honor.”

One of Schwartzman’s career highlights was his visit to Israel in 2022 to compete in the Tel Aviv Watergen Open. The experience left a lasting impression on him. “I was surprised by Tel Aviv in a good way. I didn’t expect it to be so amazing. It is for sure one of my top-three best cities in the world.”

As Schwartzman prepares for his second-round match against fellow Argentine and top-seeded qualifier Thiago Agustin Tirante, he remains focused on making one last deep run at the US Open. The winner could potentially face former top-10 player Richard Gasquet, adding even more excitement to what could be Schwartzman’s final tournament.

Tennis fans and admirers of Schwartzman’s journey will be watching closely, hoping that he can capture a bit more magic before he bids farewell to the sport he loves.

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