What Taylor Fritz said ‘surprised’ him during his first ATP title win six years ago

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Taylor Fritz has developed into one of the sport’s most dangerous players in recent years, winning eight tour-level titles.

American tennis made real strides forward in 2024, thanks to Fritz who took his game to another level.

The 27-year-old became the first player since Andy Roddick in 2009, to reach a Major final as he enjoyed a stellar run at Flushing Meadows.

Fritz lost to Jannik Sinner in the US Open final, 3-6, 4-6, 5-7, coming up short in the showpiece match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

He then returned to a ‘big final’ just a few months later, falling to defeat against Sinner once more at the ATP Finals, losing in straight sets, 4-6, 4-6.

Fritz’s performances saw him finish the year as world number four, the highest year-end ranking for an American since James Blake, 18 years earlier.

The American will no doubt look to add to his eight ATP titles later this year, and may well take inspiration from his maiden victory in 2019.

Taylor Fritz was ‘surprised’ by how calm and relaxed he was during first title win at Eastbourne in 2019

21-year-old Fritz enjoyed an impressive run to the Eastbourne final six years ago, dropping just one set along the way.

In his second career final, he would come up against fellow American Sam Querrey, who had won ten previous ATP titles.

Proving himself against his more experienced opponent, Fritz played some excellent tennis as he eased his way to victory, 6-3, 6-4.

Speaking after the match, Fritz admitted he was surprised by the way he handled the pressure.

“Yeah, I don’t know, it was weird because I was very nervy in my quarterfinal and semi-final, I think,” he said.

“But, yeah, I surprised myself today with how I came out the whole match, I felt so calm, so relaxed.

“I just tried to take it one point at a time, I tried to not think about winning the title, I just tried to, you know, stay calm.

“When I stepped up to serve out the match, I felt totally relaxed.”

The American had qualified for his maiden ATP final as a teenager in Memphis three years earlier, losing to Kei Nishikori in straight sets.

After winning his first title in Eastbourne, Fritz admitted that his run in Memphis left him feeling uneasy for several years.

“Yeah, I was 18, and it was my second ATP 250 event,” he said.

“So when you have success that early on, you start expecting, for me, anyway, once I do something once, I start expecting it to be a more regular thing.

“So it’s caused me a lot of unease, I guess you could say, over the past couple of years that I haven’t been able to win a title.

“It’s been on my mind a lot, so I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off, winning my first title.”

How many ATP titles has Taylor Fritz won since 2019?

Since winning one of his first two ATP finals, Fritz has returned to 16 more tour-level finals, picking up seven titles.

Fritz won the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells three years ago, as he took down the legendary Rafael Nadal in the final.

An injury-hit Nadal couldn’t keep up with the home favorite, as Fritz picked up his first Masters 1000 crown with a 6-3, 7-6 win.

Fritz will be hoping for more of the same in 2025 as he returns to Indian Wells but will be up against it having been drawn in the same half as five-time champion Novak Djokovic and two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.