Roger Federer is like Barcelona heroes Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona - Schwartzman
ROGER FEDERER has been compared to Barcelona heroes Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona by Diego Schwartzman.
Federer remains on song in 2018 despite recent setbacks at the Miami Open and Indian Wells.
The 36-year-old won the Australian Open back in January and is expected to scoop the Wimbledon title when the competition commences in July.
And Schwartzman has compared Roger Federer to Barcelona heroes past and present Messi and Maradona.
“Federer is (like) (Diego Armando) Maradona and (Lionel) Messi,” he said.
Schwartzman also compared Federer to former Argentina footballer Juan Roman Riquelme.
“He plays another thing, like Roger,” he added.
However, Federer is not the only tennis player receiving praise.
Schwartzman has also lauded Rafael Nadal, who could win an 11th French Open title in June.
“I saw Rafa in many tournaments, went to Mallorca and saw what he does day by day, and the simplicity he has,” he said.
“He is a genius playing tennis and makes an enormous effort to do it even better, despite the many situations he went through his career and has won everything. And he keeps wanting to win everything.”
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Federer, meanwhile, has recently admitted he nearly retired.
But wife Mirka was on hand to stop him from throwing in the towel.
"It probably was a dinner, while we were alone around a table. I don't even remember if I asked her if I had to stop or if she thought that I could still win," he said.
"It probably was something in that direction.
“And she told me: 'If you want to do it [play further] and you feel well, I don't see why you shouldn't win another big tournament or beat anyone.' I had that feeling as well.”