Schwartzman: 'I Am In The Best Shape'

Diego Schwartzman is hoping for an injection of confidence this week at the Generali Open, where he competes for the first time since 2015 as the second seed.

The Argentine suffered early exits in New York — at the Western & Southern Open and US Open — as the ATP Tour resumed after a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I didn’t play well in New York,” Schwartzman told ATPTour.com in Kitzbühel. “But I do feel that I am in the best shape I’ve been for a long time. I’m 28 years old, so not a young guy on Tour, but I’m feeling well and I just need to have the confidence to play my game again.”

Schwartzman, who made consecutive appearances in Kitzbühel in 2014 and 2015, has been training hard at the Alpine town east of Innsbruck, where he has been eating hotel dinners with his coach, trainer and girlfriend.

“I’m delighted to be back, it’s a beautiful tournament: the views, the people and the city. It’s different for other events. I’ve been trying to adapt to the new conditions and clay courts. It’s always a good week and I hope to do well.”

The World No. 13 kept himself occupied during the Tour suspension, assisting a number of charities. “I did a few different things in Argentina, which isn’t in the best economic situation right now,” said Schwartzman. “I took part in a FIFA 20 esports tournament, called #LaChamplay in April, with many footballers and singers around the world. We earned almost $300,000 for the Red Cross in Argentina.

“There was the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro, a tennis video game tournament, and I also helped out foundations of tennis players in Argentina. It wasn’t my project, but I got involved with former NBA star Manu Ginobli to help Seamos Uno, a charity that aimed to distribute food and hygiene boxes for families in Buenos Aires. The goal to distribute one million boxes will be achieved next month.”

This week, Schwartzman is back on red dirt, having overcome a groin injury he suffered in February. He hopes to improve his 5-1 record on the surface this year and better his final run in February at the Cordoba Open (l. to Garin). He will start his Kitzbühel campaign on Thursday against local wild card Sebastian Ofner.

from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/2GGD0oI