US OPEN

September 3, 2021

Diego Schwartzman

Press Conference

D. SCHWARTZMAN/A. Molcan

6-4, 6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Can you tell us your thoughts about the win and the week you've had so far.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Yeah, so far it's been a great week for me one more time here in US Open. It's a special place for me. I did great tournaments, great wins. So I'm very happy to be back.

Last year I didn't play well. Lost first round. Now I'm doing a little bit better. Every round I'm trying to improve. I think today I did a great job winning in three sets. It's very important for the second week. So tonight I have to rest because the match before it was not very easy to rest after the big storm we had here in New York.

Nothing, I'm ready to rest and ready for the second week.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. If you win on Sunday, you would play on Tuesday.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Don't tell me against who. Against who don't tell me because I don't see.

Q. Tuesday is Rosh Hashanah. Is that a problem for you to play on the high holiday?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: We're entering the week of Rosh Hashanah. I'm just saying 'Shabbat Shuvah' to everyone every day this week.

I know many people here in U.S. are going to celebrate. It's a good week for us, for the people. If I play on Tuesday, I have to play, do my best. If I get the win first on Sunday, then on Tuesday many people is going to celebrate two different things.

Q. You mentioned what happened here last year. This year you had no problems at all. How have you been able to put the tough match behind you?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: That match last year was different. Almost five months without playing tennis, it was very difficult to come back almost straight in a Grand Slam. I played five sets. I was cramping at the beginning of the fifth last year against Norrie. He was playing very good match.

The court, like this year, I played first match in Court 5, are really, really fast. It's not the same. Totally different court than the one I played today. It's very fast, Court 5. 4, 5, 6 are very fast. The other courts are slower, easier to play.

The first match was difficult. I won in three sets, but it was a difficult match. Coming back, I want the win in the first round. I think in 2017 when I start to play good weeks in the Grand Slam, my tennis change. I improve a lot. Always when I come to a Grand Slam, I want to do well. The first round is very important. Then I'm always trying to improve every single match.

Q. You said in Paris you always feel you're on the same side of the draw as Rafa on the clay.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Now I'm not.

Q. You feel like you could make a final in Paris. Do you feel like you can make a final on a hard court?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Well, at the beginning of my career I didn't know if I be able to play my best tennis on hard. Then I realized that, yeah, I play good tennis. I did two times quarters here, one against Rafa, one against, who was the other one? Two times Rafa? No, I don't remember the other one.

Well, yeah, I'm ready to do my best. I want to be in the quarters again one more time. I have good match on Sunday against the Netherlands guy. I didn't know him. I want to go step by step, not looking forward. I don't look the draw, so...

I'm just trying to be ready for the next match, for the next challenge. I hope to continue playing my best tennis since Roland Garros this year. I think I'm now finding my best tennis again.

Q. Ben Stiller was at the match the other night. What was that like for you, having him supporting you, how much you love New York in general?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Ben Stiller you ask me?

Q. Yes.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: When I lost against Rafa in 2019 I met him. We took a picture. I put in my Instagram at that time. After that we had a very good relation in WhatsApp, you know. We text few times. Obviously nobody come to the tournament.

This year since I arrive to New York, I was on contact with him, texting him. He was able to come the last match. It was a crazy movie. Like I said, when we stop I went to my box where my coach was, all my team was there. He was there, as well. I said to him, This is a movie, it's for you, it's your day.

He was smiling. Then he wait for the change to Ashe. He stay here until 2:30 a.m. when everyone was able to going back to the city. It was great. Now I text him (loss of web stream).