In tennis, the margins between the lines are often razor thin. With players employing more aggressive tactics and pushing the limits of their games, these differences can dictate the outcome of a match.
An inch can be critical in determining who wins and who loses. Apparently, no one told Diego Schwartzman. The Argentine is into the quarter-finals at the US Open in what will be his first appearance in the last eight at a Grand Slam. At 5’7”, Schwartzman may be diminutive in stature, but he is proving that his game is just as imposing as his fellow stars on the ATP World Tour.
Schwartzman has played the role of giant slayer during the North American hard-court summer, stunning World No. 7 Dominic Thiem at the Coupe Rogers, before streaking to the quarter-finals in New York with victories over Top 20 talents Marin Cilic and Lucas Pouille. The 25 year old doesn't have the broad shoulders and long and lanky reach of many of his counterparts. But what the Argentine does employ is a dogged defence predicated on sublime stamina and agility, a forehand that sees him blast off the baseline as if he has springs in his shoes… and plenty of heart.
“I hope maybe they can understand tennis is for everyone,” Schwartzman said, when asked about how he hopes to inspire others. “It is not just for the tall guys. Sometimes it helps a lot if you are big, because you can serve fast, you can do everything fast on the baseline because you have longer arms. But I was always like this and I always try to improve my tennis and try to not think about it.
“It is not easy, but I am here. I am smaller than those guys. But I am enjoying [this experience] and maybe a lot of players like me can do well in the next years.”
"Diego knows very well what his abilities are, his weapons and his limitations," said coach Juan Ignacio Chela. "He does not have any mental limits, which is the most important thing. He does not have a big serve and he does not make many aces and, therefore, he does not get many free points with his serve. But the rest of his game makes up for it. His game is based on consistency and having a winning mentality. I think it's what you're seeing now."
Schwartzman will face Pablo Carreno Busta on Tuesday, with a spot in the US Open semis on the line. The bottom half of the draw may be wide open, with a first-time Grand Slam finalist guaranteed, but the Argentine says he is just focusing on what he can control and is not looking ahead. A potential semi-final showdown with another giant – 6’8” Kevin Anderson – could be in the cards.
“It’s interesting, especially with the amount of taller tennis players coming through now,” said Anderson, when asked about the advantages of being tall. “If you try to simplify it as much as possible, I guess you could say if a guy who is my size can move around the same as a guy who is much smaller, you would think there are maybe going to be a few more advantages. When it comes to the serve especially, the height I can hit on the serve, Diego would have to jump very high to be able to match it.
“If you take somebody like Diego, he's right now the best returner on tour when you look at the stats. He's broken more than anybody else, especially on the returns. I feel it's definitely a big advantage. For me against some guys, I'm having to sort of, especially on the stretch, go down because the ball's a little bit lower, whereas he's sort of able to hit up a little bit. Just his strike zone lends itself very, very, very much on the returns.”
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The stats back up Anderson’s assertion. As Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers explains, Schwartzman has been the best returner on the ATP World Tour in 2017. He plays a big game when staring down an opponent’s serve, being ranked first in return games won, first in second serve return points won, second in first serve return points won and fifth in the break points converted category.
“And from the back, he's an incredible mover,” Anderson added. “I think his balance, his change of direction, I think it's maybe a little bit easier when you're not as tall. But at the same time, I think covering the court and stuff, if a tall guy can have that same sort of anticipation and balance, there's definitely some sort of natural benefit to that. I've played him and practised with him. I think he's a tough competitor. Given his size and stuff, he really is able to play great tennis.”
The Buenos Aires native is projected to rise to a career-high Top 30 spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings, becoming the No. 1 player from Argentina. First, a first-time clash against Carreno Busta awaits. He hopes the crowd will continue to bolster him in what will be the biggest match of his career.
"All the matches, they are helping me a lot.” Schwartzman said of the New York faithful. "In the first round and second round as well, they are helping me a lot. When it's a tough moment, they are making noise with me, just to be with me in the match. That is helping me a lot. I am really happy for that and thanks to everyone for doing that."