Diego Schwartzman inaugurates tennis complex in Argentina, says "it's a very special" moment for him

World No.13 Diego Schwartzman recently inaugurated a tennis complex consisting of 53 courts and a tennis lounge in Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The courts and the lounge have been built at one of the most important Jewish community centers.

The central court of the new complex has been named 'Diego Peque Schwartzman' to honor him. 'Peque' is a nickname of Schwartzman, which means 'short' or 'children'. The Argentine player highlighted that it was a 'very special' moment for him.

The Hacoaj Sports Club, which constructed the tennis complex in the area, is a sports and cultural club with about 7,500 members in Tigre. In addition, a new building of the Tigre headquarters, the Hacoaj Educational Pole, was also inaugurated by the Argentine, who grew up in the downtown area of Tigre.

Schwartzman spoke to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency during the event. He stated that he is extremely happy to have started playing tennis in the downtown area. Schwartzman said he feels really honored to inaugurate the tennis complex at the same place he grew up playing tennis.

“I am very happy to start playing tennis here. I am very grateful to be here for the appointment of the Central Court. It is very special, I try to enjoy the moment. It’s a beautiful club, a beautiful country. It’s very special to me," said Schwartzman.

Schwartzman also recalled his childhood days when he used to play tennis along with his friends in the very same area. He revealed that during those days since there were no courts or fields, he used to practice by hitting the balls against a wall.

“This place was very different when I came to mess with my friends. Some days we kids just played in front of the wall, there weren’t enough fields, so the big boys didn’t let our kids play, so I practiced against the wall. Years later, some of them still didn’t want me to play … But it was because I started hitting them,” added the World No.13 player.

How did Diego Schwartzman perform in the 2021 tennis season?

Diego Schwartzman had a mediocre 2021 tennis season. He started the season poorly, crashing out of the Australian Open 2021 in the third round. The ending proved to be no different as he suffered a second-round exit at the Rolex Paris Masters 2021.

Diego Schwartzman at the Vienna Open 2021

Schwartzman's only title came at the 2021 Argentina Open, where he won the tournament without dropping a single set. He also finished as the runner-up at the 2021 European Open, losing to Jannik Sinner in the finals.

The Argentine player's best Grand Slam performance came at the 2021 French Open. He reached the quarter-finals, where he lost to 20-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal.

Diego Schwartzman and Rafael Nadal at the French Open 2021

Diego Schwartzman finished the year in the top-15. However, the first-round exits at the Monte Carlo Masters, Italian Open and Lyon Open 2021 are not things he will be very proud of.