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‘I would prefer to play Djokovic next time’ – Diego Schwartzman after Nadal defeat


Diego Schwartzman joked he would rather play Novak Djokovic next time after losing to Rafael Nadal in the Roland Garros quarter-finals.

The world No. 10 was beaten 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 by the 13-time French Open champion in the last eight in Paris on Wednesday.

The Argentine also fell to Nadal in the semi-finals of the French Open last year, and the quarter-finals in 2018.

“It’s going to be sad for everyone [when Nadal] retires, but obviously I don’t want to be in the same side of the draw [as Nadal] next time,” Schwartzman said in his post-match press conference.

“I think I am a very good player on clay, I did great tournaments here in Paris – but always I [am] losing against Rafa the last few years. In semi-final, two times quarters.

“I want to play maybe ‘Nole’ [Novak Djokovic] next time, but not Rafa [laughs]. So it’s difficult, I did great matches. Always close, the last few matches. But at the end, he’s winning. Next time we’ll see.”

Nadal now holds an 11-1 head-to-head advantage over Schwartzman.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.