D. SCHWARTZMAN/T. Fritz
6-4, 3-6, 7-6
Q. I read somewhere that you actually considered maybe retiring from tennis; is that true?
DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: No, I never said that. I don't know.
Q. Diego, congratulations on the win. What does that mean for you in the context of your career overall at this point?
DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Well, it's important. I did these kind of matches many, many times, in big tournaments, as well, but since last year I was not playing my best.
The last few tournaments I did great against the best guys on tour, Tommy Paul, Sinner, Zverev, you know. I was losing against these guys very close in the third set. So I knew that I was playing much better, but still no win.
Yeah, this time tonight it was very important because it's the biggest step at the end of the year, so that's, for me, it's very important.
Q. Would you say that resilience is one of your best qualities as a player?
DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Well, I don't know. Everyone here is trying to win, everyone is practicing hard and, you know, doing as many things you can to win matches.
So I did the entire year the same, but after many years doing great, this one was different. Yeah, you have to realize, you have to stop sometimes and, you know, think what you did the years before and, yeah, here I am, trying again.
Q. Was there any, ever any point where you sort of lost motivation to keep being out here pushing for these wins?
DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: It was a combination, you know. Always tough for South American players being far from home for months and months. It's seven months, eight months per year traveling, playing far from home, not seeing your family, friends. When you do very well, also you have the stress and everything on your mind.
So, yeah, I'm very happy how I did, still being very happy, and I will try as many weeks and many tournaments as I can to have this level. If I have this level, even if I lose, for me it's fine.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports