Diego Schwartzman responds to messages from Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner after his retirement in Argentina

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Diego Schwartzman retired from tennis, having fallen to defeat at the Argentina Open.

Having struggled for form during the latter stages of his career, Schwartzman announced he would retire at the 2025 Argentina Open in May last year.

The former world number eight hadn’t won a tour-level match in over a year when Schwartzman shocked Nicolas Jarry in the first round to prolong his retirement.

His Argentina Open run and career came to an end in the second round, however, as the 32-year-old lost to Pedro Martinez in straight sets.

Stars of the ATP Tour soon took to social media to share their appreciation for Schwartzman and what he achieved during his time in the sport.

Schwartzman has now replied to some of those messages as he reflects on his encounters with some of tennis’ greatest players.

Diego Schwartzman responds to Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner’s social media messages

22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal was one of the first to congratulate Schwartzman on his career, having played the Argentine 12 times during their careers.

“Congratulations, Diego Schwartzman, on your great career,” he said on X.

“You have been a great example of struggle and overcoming and I am glad that we have shared so many moments on the circuit.

“Enjoy your next stage.”

Schwartzman has now replied to Nadal, thanking the ‘legend’ for the moments they shared together.

“Rafa [Nadal],” he said.

“Thank you for letting me share so many moments on and off the court.

“You are, were and will be a legend forever.

“You taught tennis a lot, and thank you for letting me beat you once.”

World number one Jannik Sinner also congratulated Schwartzman on his career, as he wished him the best for the future.

Schwartzman responded to the Italian star as he looked back to a moment they shared at the Cincinnati Open.

“Thank you friend,” he said.

“It was very nice to share a few years at least on the tour with you.

“Playing matches and sharing moments and the best having our birthday same day at Cincy [Cincinnati].

“All the best Jannik [Sinner].”

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic also took to Instagram earlier on Friday, congratulating the Argentine on his tennis career.

“Friend, congratulations on an incredible career,” said Djokovic.

Did Diego Schwartzman ever beat Rafael Nadal on clay?

Schwartzman and Nadal played one another 12 times on the ATP Tour, as one player enjoyed far more success than the other.

The Argentine secured just one victory over Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Italian Open five years ago.

During his best-ever Masters 1000 campaign, Schwartzman shocked the Spaniard in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.

An uncharacteristically poor Nadal hit 30 unforced errors during the match, as he lost to Schwartzman for the first time.

Entering the competition as the number eight seed, Schwartzman sprung several big upsets to reach the final of the Italian Open, where he eventually fell to world number one Djokovic.

• F – Lost to [1] Novak Djokovic, 5-7, 3-6
• SF – Beat [12] Denis Shapovalov, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6
• QF – Beat [2] Rafael Nadal, 6-2, 7-5
• 3R – Beat Hubert Hurkacz, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
• 2R – Beat John Millman, 6-4, 7-6

Schwartzman never returned to a Masters 1000 final but retired from tennis as one of the few players to have beaten Nadal on clay.