WATCH: Diego Schwartzman breaks down in tears as he struggles to speak after final US Open campaign ends in 1R defeat to Gael Monfils

Diego Schwartzman was captured as he broke down in tears following his first-round loss at the US Open against Gaël Monfils. The match was also his final appearance at the US Major, as he had earlier announced that he would be retiring in February 2025 at the Argentina Open.

Before facing Monfils in their first-round clash, Schwartzman (as reported by the ATP) clarified the reasons for retiring at 32. He explained that it wasn't due to any injury, but because he felt he could no longer compete at the level he once did.

Schwartzman lost to the Frenchman 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 on Monday at the Grandstand after entering the main draw through qualifiers. He has gone on to compete 11 consecutive times since first participating in the tournament in 2014.

Following their clash on Monday, the US Open's official X account posted a video featuring a teary Diego Schwartzman speaking to the press. He expressed his gratitude to the fans for the love they have showered over the past decade, saying:

“It's difficult to speak, I'm a guy who cries a lot, (sobs), not supposed to cry now, I have to be strong, special moments like you see before on the screen once again playing here 11 times in a row, playing in a grand slam in the US Open, I did great but I think the entire crowd today, and all the years before, all the Latin American people, the American people. I don't know why they take care of me too good, every year, I'm not sure if I deserve it or not but I'm really grateful for the whole years” - He said

Of the seven matches played so far this season, the Argentine is yet to win a match in the main draw of any ATP tournament and currently sits at No. 244 on the ATP rankings.

Diego Schwartzman has reached the quarterfinal of the US Open twice

Diego Schwartzman at the US Open in 2019 - Source: Getty

Of his 11 consecutive participations at the US Open, Schwartzman reached the quarterfinals in both 2017 and 2019.

In 2017, he kicked off his campaign by defeating his compatriot Carlos Berlocq in the first round. He then beat Janko Tipsarević, Marin Čilić, and Lucas Pouille in the next three rounds before being outclassed by Pablo Carreño Busta in the quarterfinals. At the 2019 edition, Schwartzman was knocked out by eventual champion Rafael Nadal. On his way to the quarterfinals, he defeated Robin Haase, Egor Gerasimov, Tennys Sandgren, and Alexander Zverev.

Diego Schwartzman's best Grand Slam performance came in 2020 when he reached the semifinals of the French Open. Throughout his 14-year career, he has won four titles which are the 2016 Istanbul Open, 2018 Rio Open, 2019 Los Cabos Open, and the 2021 Argentina Open.