BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 13, 2021

Diego Schwartzman

Press Conference

D. SCHWARTZMAN/C. Ruud

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I wanted to ask you about your countryman, Juan Martin, winning here a couple years ago, and I wondered what your memories were of that match, him getting his first Masters 1000 title, and just what role he's played for you in your career as far as a motivating factor.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Well, obviously for everyone who is playing tennis in Argentina, Latin America, we have Juan Martin as a leader, you know, as like a captain in the team.

We were always following his steps on court, you know, in the tour. It's very sad to, you know, have a few years without him playing the same tournaments than me. We have a very good relation, and I was just, you know, thinking and, you know, sent to him wishes to have him one more time here in the tour.

But for many guys, I mean, not just Juan Martin, we have a few years before too many players in Argentina, top 10s, guys who did, I'm not sure final here, but many great tournaments in U.S., US Open. So our tennis in Argentina, I think Juan Martin, it's one or two, you know, in the best in our history obviously, but we have a lot of great names in Argentina, so that's why many guys are playing tennis in our country.

Q. I think it was on court you said, keep this tournament in October. Can you explain what the difference is playing here in October compared to playing here in March?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: I think the ball is jumping a little bit less, so for me it's helping. The serve is not doing much under these conditions. It's very dry.

So I have many opportunities to play the point, to make good points, and have the decision every game to, you know, where I'm deciding to, you know, hit the ball. That's why.

Obviously I was joking a little bit, you know, because I'm doing great, but, yeah, few more degrees, different conditions, different weather, obviously it's changing the conditions for our game, because we play very fast and we know how to play, so every difference, small difference, sometimes it's big.

Q. Yesterday or two days ago you said you've only spent 30 days in Argentina during the past 10 months. When you're on the road, what is it that you miss most about Argentina, except of course your family, your friends, your home, the things that are dearest to you? In terms of the way you live your life, what is it that you actually miss the most?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Well, the tour, you go through the tour in a totally different mood when you are at home and you know that you are going back after maybe one month, two months. Obviously from where we are, we are traveling too many more weeks, you know, and we are many more weeks out of home than if you compare to U.S. guys and European guys.

So just, you know, thinking about that under these conditions because of COVID-19 and all the rules and all the protocols and no flights to go back and quarantine, everything, you miss just the small things, I mean, just to be in your bed, to be in your bed and to be with your dogs and watch TV, and, you know, just be home and be not in the small bubble, you know, small tennis bubble. Just not seeing the same faces every single day.

Obviously for anyone who is doing their jobs, is the same way. You know, if you are seeing the same people every single week, every single breakfast, every single dinner, it's very difficult, and you miss home. Many times the European guys were going back home and not us, just staying in the hotel, doing quarantines.

You know, it's tough at the end, you know, to be ready for practice and for competing in the best mood.

Q. How good does it feel to get your first top-10 win of the season and also to reach the quarterfinals in Indian Wells for the first time?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: I'm very happy, because I was just trying to find my best tennis one more time. I was doing very well. You know, I lost Rublev two times in the last three weeks, and I was very close two times, I was playing very good tennis.

So since May, you know, June, I'm playing great tennis. I mean, I know that. I'm practicing well. I'm ready to compete. I'm feeling healthy, good, you know.

The conditions for me are good, you know, when I'm walking on court. I was just trying to be ready for the chance, and I think today I was ready for that. That's why I'm very happy, because I think at the end when you follow and you are going in one direction and you find a way to be there and win matches, it's good.

I think right now I'm feeling good, and it's good because we don't have too many more weeks in the tour this year, so at the end, it's nice to feel, you know, in this way at the end of the season.

Q. In the news lately, there has been a lot of talk about people from the public going into space. Today another spaceship, public spaceship went up and landed, and there were some interesting discussions. Is that something you would ever consider or like to do? If so...

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: No way. No way, no, no chance for me (smiling). I'm very scary about that.

But people enjoy, you know. People is crazy and they want to have this experience. Not me. Not me. I prefer to be home drinking mate with my dogs and my family, you know, on the ground.