Tennis fans are in agreement following Taylor Fritz’s strong comments about Arthur Rinderknech.
The 26-year-old played the Frenchman at Wimbledon, a year after their frosty encounter in the second round of Roland Garros.
This time the players battled for a spot in the third round at the All-England Club and just like in Paris, the American claimed the victory.
There is no love lost between the two and that was evident following comments made both before the match, and after.
What did Taylor Fritz say to Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon?
Fritz opened up a commanding two-set lead over Rinderknech, before the 28-year-old battled back to take set three.
But the 12th seed held firm and went on to complete a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win and improve his 2024 grass court record to eight wins and just one loss.
The pair shook hands at the net and Fritz could be seen saying to his opponent “Have a nice flight home.” Following the savage remark, fans expressed how hilarious they thought it was and praised his attitude.
X user @dhopkins1228 said: “I love petty Taylor… it doesn’t come out much but when it does, it’s hilarious, while @Lushness_ added: “Fritz’ bars have been savage lately. I’m here for it!”
@CmoneyMeyer wrote: “This is great. Love a fired up Taylor,” and @lalauren18 added: “As if I didn’t already love @Taylor_Fritz97 – Have a nice flight home did it for me. It typically takes a bit to get Fritz feisty, but a fire was lit. Keep it going!! #Wimbledon.”
The reaction continued as @jhovey34 tweeted: “Taylor Fritz just SHOT UP my power rankings. ‘Have a nice flight home’ is cold blooded at a major,” while Samer (@samer_r2) said: “Fritz is one of my favourites now. Come one Taylor!”
Why is there tension between Taylor Fritz and Arthur Rinderknech?
After beating Rinderknech, Fritz will continue his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title when he faces Alejandro Tabilo in round three.
All eyes were on the Eastbourne champion’s match with the unseeded player following their intense French Open encounter in 2023 when Fritz shushed the crowd after sealing the win, and he received boos and jeers as a result.
Prior to their Wimbledon encounter, Rinderknech’s comments were not taken well by Fritz and this explained his remarks at the net once their match had finished.
“He won’t cry as much. He whined a bit saying it was too noisy,” he said about Fritz. “I hold no grudge against him but he was wrong if he thought the crowd would send him kisses in between points.”
Fritz responded: “He asked me what I said. I told him what I said. He told me he was in doubles still. I said, ‘Oh, congrats, good for you’.
“Then he started acting like, ‘Why are you blah, blah, blah?’ I’m like, ‘Dude, you know what you said — don’t disrespect me before the match and then expect me to be all nice after the match’.”
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