Taylor Fritz helped book Team USA their place in the United Cup final against Poland.
After Coco Gauff beat Karolina Muchova to give the United States a 1-0 lead in their semi-final tie against Czechia, Fritz took down Tomas Machac to secure his nation’s place in the final.
It wasn’t the most convincing of victories, however, as Machac led by a set when he retired with cramps in his leg.
In fact, Machac had served for the match just a few games prior, failing to convert match points as he allowed Fritz back into the game.
Machac was furious at his team during the latter stages of the match, as his physical condition worsened throughout.
The unorthodox victory saw Team USA return to the United Cup final, having won the event’s inaugural edition back in 2023, with Fritz now revealing what Machac told him as he retired from the match.
Taylor Fritz says Tomas Machac told him he had been ‘cramping for a few games’ when he retired at the United Cup
Speaking following his victory at the United Cup, Fritz revealed what his opponent told him at the net before retiring.
“He said he had been cramping for a couple of games already,” said Fritz.
“I didn’t notice but yeah.
“He was moving pretty well, but I guess he was playing through it.”
The American may not have noticed that Machac was struggling, but admitted that the conditions in Sydney were tough.
“It it pretty humid in here, that was something I was thinking was a possibility if I could take it to a third set,” he said.
“I was thinking someone might start cramping later on.
“It’s tough conditions, it was a physical match.”
Machac’s physical style saw him produce several world-class shots during the match, including an unbelievable sliding effort during the first set.
Perhaps it was that physical style that saw Machac come unstuck during the second set, as his leg cramped up, sending Czechia out of the competition.
What have fans said about Tomas Machac’s bizarre retirement against Taylor Fritz at the United Cup?
Fans online were bemused by Machac’s retirement from the United Cup, having seen him serve for the match just a few minutes earlier.
“[Tomas] Machac hadn’t even lost when he imploded,” one fan said.
“Even if [Taylor] Fritz took the second set, Machac still had the first set, so he could still have won the match.
“An emotional meltdown.
“No-one is seriously buying the ‘cramps’, not Fritz, not the commentators, not I.”
There were plenty of other fans in agreement, as many were unimpressed by Machac’s retirement.
“Tomas Machac checked out physically and mentally,” one fan added.
“This match will haunt him for a long time.”
“I still think Machac retired because he flopped and wasted two match points and not because he was cramping but oh well,” suggested another.
One more fan criticized the Czech star, saying that he ‘gave up’ during the second set.
“Machac up and quit right in the middle of a match he was winning against Fritz.
“Supposedly he had cramps, but it looked like he just got so upset that he walked away.
“Never seen that before, gave up on himself and let his country down.
“I don’t think he had cramps, he just quit.”
Another fan had similarly harsh words for the ATP world number 25.
“Worst choke I’ve seen in a long time,” they said.
“Machac had done all which was right in the rally exchanges through the match, Fritz was beaten.
“A few unforced errors later and he’s retiring without fighting for the third set, in a semi final.
“Very underwhelming player Machac is.”
Not all fans have criticized the 24-year-old, however, as one fan admitted that he had been impressed by Machac throughout the United Cup.
“Really impressed with Machac at the United Cup this year,” they said.
“A bit sad that things sort of fell apart physically and mentally right at the finish line against Fritz today but that’s just how the sport goes sometimes.
“Credit to Fritz for hanging in there till the last second.”
Fritz and Team USA will now prepare for a tough tie in the final against a Polish side led by Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz.
Swiatek herself was criticized at the United Cup this week, having taken a ‘convenient’ medical time out against Katie Boulter during their match.
Team USA will take on Poland on January 5 in Sydney, Australia.
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