ROLAND GARROS

June 7, 2021

Diego Schwartzman

Press Conference

D. SCHWARTZMAN/JL Struff

7-6, 6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I have got a theory about why you are winning at Roland Garros. I think your shirts are so bright that you're dazzling your opponents with your shirts and also how well you are playing, as well. Why do you feel you're playing so well, and does it have anything to do with the shirt?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: I'm not sure about the shirt, but I'm really happy to wear that shirts from Fila and with the collection with MCGM. It's very nice. I think it's very nice pink one. I'm enjoying. Since I saw the clothes for Paris, I was just trying to be here quickly to use. I'm using a lot of matches that collection.

I'm not sure if is because of that or because of Paris, but I am playing good tennis, so that's the only thing that I know (smiling).

Q. You sort of joked on the court a little bit that you're happy with the win, maybe not as happy that you might play Rafa next. I'm just curious, you said in the past how one of the toughest things about playing him, especially at a Grand Slam, is you have to keep your level for three, four, five hours at the best. So if you do play Rafa, what's most important about trying to do that and keeping your level consistent?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: I think at the beginning of everything match against Rafa, you have to walk on the court thinking to win the match, to have opportunities, to get opportunities, and think about something else and not think about Rafa in the other side of the net.

If you think many about the four, five hours you are going to play, if you think about everything about Rafa in Roland Garros, he's very difficult to play. You know, you have to go on court, think about the tactic, think about how to play your best game. I think when the matches start with close score, it's a little bit easier the start, and then you start to think another thing on court.

I think it's very important not just for me, just also for Rafa when the opponent start with good tennis, the match, you know, is going to a different way. And it's always tough. But at the end it's Rafa and you never know what is going to happen, and everyone knows that it's going to be very difficult.

Q. A quick question on when you take time off from tennis completely, when you take a break, maybe during the week when you have a break, what type of things do you do to get your mind off tennis completely? What are the activities that you take part in? Can you tell us a bit about your free time when you're not at the tennis?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: I think you are joking with me, because the last ten months -- no, I'm kidding. Because the last ten months I was in home just one month. I didn't have a week off since the pandemic start, I think.

But I want to be home after the tournament. I really need it, to have a week off. I'm going to eat a few asados, for sure, in my home. I want to see my friends, my family, be home with my dogs. I love to wake up with my dogs, walk a little bit, drink mate.

I think I'm very bored guy, you know, in home (smiling). I just want to be home and enjoy the small things in my house and not much in that. But asados, medialunas, and mate, and friends.

THE MODERATOR: That would be barbecue, croissant, and mate.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: But croissant is not medialuna, is not the same, so is not a good translation (smiling).

Q. You have told us that you are happy to be in the quarterfinal but maybe not too happy to face Rafa. Are there any good things about playing Rafa in a quarterfinal at Roland Garros?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Playing against Rafa in these kind of tournaments, it's always, I mean, a good step, a good time to know how good are you playing. It's always a good challenge.

I want to be there one more time. I beat him one time, so is not the same thing. I know we played two times here were good matches, and now let's see what happen. I have to enjoy today, day free tomorrow, and let's see what happen on Wednesday.

Also, Rafa is going to play against Sinner. I hope if Rafa win, Sinner, you know, have a good match and maybe run a little bit (smiling).