The tennis world mourned the death of football legend Diego Maradona, who passed away on Wednesday at 60. Argentines Diego Schwartzman, who was named after Maradona, and former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro lead the tributes.
“I feel like you’re returning to where you belong, to HEAVEN. For me you will never die,” tweeted del Potro.
Siento que volvés al lugar que te pertenece, EL CIELO. Para mí nunca vas a morir. Descansá en Paz.#GraciasDiego https://t.co/CenIdC4Tbe
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) November 25, 2020
Schwartzman posted a series of tweets paying tribute to Maradona. “How could you not be named Diego? I love you forever D10S (‘god’),” Schwartzman wrote.
Para siempre 10 😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/CdWDKJE7RP
— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) November 26, 2020
— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) November 25, 2020
Y cómo no te vas a llamar DIEGO?? Te amo para siempre D10S https://t.co/teE1cqjdf8
— diego schwartzman (@dieschwartzman) November 25, 2020
Though Maradona was an icon of football around the world, he was a tennis fan too. The charismatic Argentine would be seen supporting his country at most of their Davis Cup ties, home or away. He witnessed the team win the Davis Cup in 2016, when they played Croatia in Zagreb.
There was a lot of love for Diego Maradona in the world of tennis 💙 pic.twitter.com/Swsbdtt2sd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 25, 2020
“Today the world of sports in general and football in particular has a void,” said 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.
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“One of the greatest sportsmen in history, Diego Maradona, has left us. What he did in football will remain. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family, the world of football, and to all of Argentina.”
Hoy el mundo del deporte en general y el fútbol en particular tiene un vacío. Se nos fue #Maradona uno de los deportistas mas grandes de la historia. Queda lo que hizo en el fútbol. Mi mas sincero y sentido pésame a su familia, al mundo del fútbol y a toda la Argentina 🇦🇷
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) November 25, 2020
The ATP Tour remembered Maradona, who took Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, with a social media post saying “A champion and icon loved by all”, accompanied with a picture of Maradona with Federer.
“You’ve made us all very happy here, rest in peace Diego,” added retired Argentine player Juan Monaco.
