Tennis

Taylor Fritz, the fiery American tennis star, has ignited a spicy rivalry with French opponent Arthur Rinderknech, culminating in a heated post-match exchange at Wimbledon.The feud stems from their previous encounter at Roland Garros in 2023, where Fritz's victory was marred by his controversial shushing gesture towards the partisan French crowd. Rinderknech took offense, and ahead of their Wimbledon rematch, he publicly criticized Fritz's composure.Fritz, known for his calm demeanor, was unfazed by Rinderknech's comments. Instead, they fueled his determination to prove his worth. "As soon as I saw it, the match was basically over," Fritz said. "It just gives me extra fire."The tension was palpable during their Wimbledon clash, with Fritz ultimately prevailing in four sets. As they shook hands at the net, Fritz couldn't resist a parting shot: "Have a nice flight home."Fritz's spicy handshake aside, he has been in impressive form at Wimbledon, dropping only one set so far. His strong grass-court performances in the lead-up to the tournament have established him as a darkhorse contender.In the third round, Fritz will face Alejandro Tabilo, a rising star from Chile. The American will be looking to continue his fiery run and prove that he is not just a spicy margarita but a formidable force on the court.

American tennis star Taylor Fritz, the top-ranked U.S. male on the ATP Tour, has forged a unique partnership with Chipotle Mexican Grill. Fritz, known for his love of Chipotle's hearty bowls, has unveiled a signature menu item and joined "Team Chipotle" alongside other elite American athletes.Fritz's signature bowl, available exclusively through Chipotle's website and mobile app, features a white rice base, double chicken, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. This meal reflects Fritz's preference for nutritious and satisfying meals that support his rigorous training regimen.Chipotle's "Real Food for Real Athletes" campaign, of which Fritz is a lynchpin, emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition for athletes of all levels. The chain has previously partnered with players from the U.S. women's national soccer team and NHL hockey players.Fritz's partnership with Chipotle extends beyond his signature meal. He is featured in new episodes of Chipotle's "Unwrapped" video series, where he discusses his goals for 2024, including his Olympic debut."A big thing for me is eating things that are good for me that I still enjoy," Fritz said. "At Chipotle, it's just having that healthy, reliable meal that I can count on."Fritz's success on the court is a testament to the importance of proper nutrition. He recently showcased his fitness in a speedy first-round win at Wimbledon, where he is seeded No. 13.

Taylor Fritz has etched his name into the history books of the Rothesay International in Eastbourne, becoming the first man to win the coveted trophy three times. The American star defeated Max Purcell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to secure his third title at the prestigious grass-court event.Fritz's triumph marks a remarkable achievement in the tournament's 29-year history. He joins an elite group of players who have won the title multiple times, including Greg Rusedski, Jonas Bjorkman, Richard Gasquet, Ivo Karlovic, and Feliciano Lopez. However, Fritz stands alone as the only player to have won the trophy three times.The ATP 250 event has been held in two locations over the years. It was initially held in Nottingham from 1995 to 2008 and then again from 2015 to 2016. Since 2009, the tournament has found a permanent home in Eastbourne, where it has been held every year except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Fritz's victory in Eastbourne is a testament to his exceptional grass-court skills. He has now won three of the four grass-court tournaments he has played this season, including the Halle Open and the Rothesay International. His success on this surface has propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world.The American's triumph in Eastbourne is a significant boost to his confidence ahead of Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year. Fritz has never advanced past the third round at Wimbledon, but his recent form suggests that he could be a contender for the title this year.

American tennis players are rediscovering the joys of playing on red clay, as evidenced by the recent success of Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz at the Rome Masters. Paul, who grew up playing on green clay, has been particularly impressive, reaching the semifinals of the tournament. He credits his success to a long training block on clay, which allowed him to develop his game and become more comfortable on the surface.Fritz, who defeated Paul in the junior final of the Roland Garros championships in 2015, has also found renewed success on clay this year. He has played four consecutive tournaments on the surface, including three Masters 1000 events, and has upset several top players. Fritz believes that playing on clay is essential for his development as a player, as it allows him to use elements of his game that may not be as effective on hard courts.The success of Paul and Fritz is a welcome sign for American tennis, which has struggled to produce top players on clay in recent years. The last American to win the French Open was Andre Agassi in 1999. However, the current generation of American players seems to be more open to playing on clay, and they are beginning to see the benefits of doing so.If Paul and Fritz can continue their success on clay, they could help to usher in a new era of American dominance on the surface. They are both young and talented players, and they have the potential to be among the best in the world.

Taylor Fritz, the American tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on clay courts this season, becoming the first U.S. man to reach the quarterfinals or better of all three clay-court Masters 1000 tournaments. Fritz's newfound confidence on the surface stems from a consistent clay-court diet and a commitment to playing the full swing.Fritz's journey to clay-court success began with a runner-up finish at the 2015 junior Roland Garros. However, it wasn't until recent years that he fully embraced the surface. By playing all the clay-court events, Fritz has gained valuable experience and identified the strengths of his game that translate well to clay.Fritz's forehand, in particular, thrives on clay. He relishes the high ball and the opportunity to hit a spinny, heavy forehand with ample time. This shot has been a key weapon in his recent victories.At the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Fritz has dropped just one set, showcasing his newfound consistency. Despite a marathon tiebreaker against Grigor Dimitrov, Fritz remained composed and saved all 11 break points faced.Fritz's next opponent, Alexander Zverev, poses a significant challenge. Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-3, but Fritz has won two of their last three meetings. The pair have never faced off on clay, adding an intriguing element to their upcoming encounter.Fritz's transformation into "Claylor" is a testament to his dedication and adaptability. By embracing the challenges of clay courts, he has unlocked a new dimension to his game and established himself as a contender on all surfaces.

Taylor Fritz, known as "Claylor" for his unexpected success on clay, has reached the third round of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Despite being an American who didn't play on red clay until he was 16, Fritz has excelled on the surface, reaching the final in Munich and the semifinals in Madrid.Fritz attributes his success to his forehand, which he believes is well-suited for clay. He has also improved his movement and tactics on the surface. While he acknowledges that he may never be the best clay-court player, he is determined to prove that he can be competitive.Another American, Sebastian Korda, has also found success on clay. Korda, who spent his childhood playing on clay in Europe, has won an ATP title on the surface and reached the fourth round of the French Open. He recently won a Masters 1000 doubles title in Madrid.Korda and Fritz will face off in the third round of the Italian Open. Despite Fritz's recent success on clay, Korda holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage. However, Fritz believes he has the edge on clay and is looking forward to the challenge.The match between Fritz and Korda promises to be a competitive battle between two of the most promising American clay-court players. The winner will be a serious contender for a deep run in the tournament.

The one-handed backhand, once a staple of tennis, has faced a decline in recent years as two-handed backhands have become more prevalent. However, at the Mutua Madrid Open, some of the sport's top two-handed backhanders showcased their skills with the one-handed shot.Mirra Andreeva, Ons Jabeur, Taylor Fritz, and Jannik Sinner all attempted the one-handed backhand, with varying degrees of success. Sinner, who has often praised the one-handed backhand, admitted to not being proficient at the shot.Fritz and Ben Shelton engaged in a friendly competition, with Fritz expressing confidence in his consistency. However, he later conceded the title of best U.S. one-hander to Sebastian Korda, whose stroke he described as "clean af."The collective efforts of the players were met with praise from Carla Suárez Navarro, a former top-10 player known for her iconic one-handed backhand. "Not bad," she wrote in the comments.Suárez Navarro's absence from the game has been felt by fans and peers alike. "Yours was so good!" Daria Saville replied. "I miss it."Despite the resurgence of the one-handed backhand at the Mutua Madrid Open, it remains to be seen whether it will experience a wider revival. However, the efforts of these top players have shown that the shot still has a place in the modern game.

The Mutua Madrid Open semifinals will witness a captivating clash between Taylor Fritz and Andrey Rublev on Friday, May 3. This unexpected matchup has emerged as the more intriguing semifinal, overshadowing the other featuring Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jiri Lehecka.Fritz holds a significant advantage in recent encounters, having triumphed over Rublev in four of their last five meetings. Notably, all these victories came on hard courts, including a 6-2, 7-6 (3) win at the Laver Cup last September. However, Rublev secured a 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 victory in their lone clay-court encounter in Monte Carlo last year.Despite Rublev's impressive serve percentage of 90.9% in 2024, Fritz possesses a more reliable serve and has the ability to punish second serves. Additionally, Fritz's superior backhand and ability to hold his own from the forehand side give him an edge in this matchup.The altitude in Madrid favors power players like Fritz, who has enjoyed success at this event in recent years. The American's ability to control the baseline and dictate the pace of the match will be crucial against Rublev's powerful groundstrokes.Overall, Fritz appears to be the more favorable choice in this semifinal. His head-to-head advantage, combined with his suitability to the Madrid conditions, makes him a strong contender for a spot in the final.

American tennis star Taylor Fritz has etched his name in the history books with a hard-fought victory over Francisco Cerundolo at the Mutua Madrid Open. Fritz's 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 triumph not only marked his 250th career win but also made him the first American man to reach the semifinals of the Madrid Open since its transition to clay in 2009.Fritz's 250th win places him among an elite group of players born in 1995 or later to achieve this milestone. He joins the likes of Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, and Karen Khachanov in this exclusive club.Fritz's victory in Madrid is a testament to his remarkable consistency and resilience. He has now reached the semifinals of four Masters 1000 events, including a title win at Indian Wells in 2022. His success on clay is particularly noteworthy, as he has struggled on the surface in the past.Fritz's achievement is also a significant moment for American tennis. Only two American men had previously reached the final four in Madrid when it was held on indoor hard courts. Fritz's semifinal appearance on clay is a testament to the progress made by American players in recent years.As Fritz prepares for his semifinal clash, he will face a formidable opponent in Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star is a two-time Madrid Open champion and will be eager to extend his dominance on the clay. However, Fritz has proven his mettle against top-ranked players and will be confident in his ability to challenge Tsitsipas.Fritz's journey to the semifinals has been marked by determination and unwavering belief. He has overcome adversity and shown the resilience that has become synonymous with his game. As he takes on Tsitsipas, Fritz will be aiming to make history once again and become the first American man to reach the Madrid Open final since 2005.