Diego Schwartzman, the former world No. 8 tennis player, has announced that 2024 will be his final full season on tour. The 31-year-old Argentine plans to bid farewell to the sport at his home event in Buenos Aires in 2025.
Schwartzman’s decision stems from the physical and mental toll of the demanding tennis circuit. Despite reaching the pinnacle of his career in 2020, with a series of impressive performances on clay, the daily grind of training, traveling, and competing has taken its toll.
“Every corner of the court, every second training, every point competing, every moment I was immensely happy,” Schwartzman wrote in an emotional Instagram post. “I lived it so intensely that today it’s hard for me to keep it up. All those beautiful moments have become something that carries weight today and I find it hard to keep enjoying fully.”
Schwartzman’s career has been marked by his exceptional talent and determination. Despite his diminutive stature, standing at just 5-foot-7, he has consistently punched above his weight. He has notched up 13 career Top 10 wins and reached the semifinals of the 2020 French Open, becoming the shortest man to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal in nearly two decades.
“Tennis has given me everything I have and much more that I will carry with me forever,” Schwartzman wrote. “‘El Peque’ had a giant life.”
Schwartzman’s retirement announcement has been met with sadness from fans and fellow players alike. His unique style of play and infectious enthusiasm have made him a beloved figure in the tennis world.
As he prepares for his final season, Schwartzman hopes to play the tournaments he loves most one last time. His ultimate goal is to end his career on a high note at the 2025 ATP 250 in Buenos Aires, where he has reached the final three times and won the title in 2021.
