Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul took the Olympics by storm with their pairing in Paris, bringing home one of just two medals that tennis could offer to the USA’s effort.
It was one of the most unlikely success stories given neither really had much of a background in doubles, but their friendship and quality pulled them through and merited them with a well-earned bronze medal.
However, it was not an easy ride throughout, and the two had to overcome some hardships to achieve such success.
Taylor Fritz has now detailed one particular moment where he had to pull his partner out of the mire to inspire them to victory.
Taylor Fritz reveals Olympics conversation with Tommy Paul
Speaking to Tennis Channel after his routine opening-round win at the Canadian Open, attention swiftly turned from his most recent performance to the Olympics.
After all, it was a relatively successful campaign from the American, who despite failing to go deep in the singles draw still managed to thrive alongside Tommy Paul in the men’s doubles.
The current top two-ranked male players in the country, their partnership was always bound to draw interest, and when they soared to bronze medal success that intrigue only intensified.
However, as Fritz would reveal, things were not always so straightforward, and he outlined one conversation where he had to inspire an ‘especially’ upset Paul ahead of their bronze-medal match.
He noted: ‘It was really cool. We were pretty upset after losing the semi-final match, Tommy especially. I was just like ‘Look man, we’re going to feel a lot worse if we don’t focus up and get a win tomorrow and it’s going to feel really good’.
‘I was telling him, bronze medalists are sometimes happier than the silver medalists so it felt good to get up there.’
Taylor Fritz’s fine 2024 continues
Were Fritz to enjoy a strong run in Montreal, and even win the Masters 1000 event, this would surely mark his best-ever year alongside 2022, where he won Indian Wells.
And, there is every chance that he could achieve such success given the fine 2024 he has enjoyed, with two ATP titles to his name and having enjoyed his best-ever runs at all three of the Grand Slam tournaments he has played thus far.
To add an Olympic medal into the mix too only sparks further adulation, and deservedly so, given this has been the year where his all-around game has looked far more assured.
With a service weapon that can now rival most in the game, and enough technical quality to threaten even the very best on tour, his ongoing battle with Paul for the title of number one US male has been enthralling to watch.
Their respective success in the coming weeks in Canada, Cincinnati and then the US Open will almost definitely determine who finishes the year at the top, and puts themselves in with a chance of making it to Turin too for the end-of-year finals.
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