Turin, Italy — The American tennis player who made history by being the first U.S. man to reach a Grand Slam singles final in the past 15 years has been keeping himself busy in indoor venues. However, his recent activities extend beyond the world of tennis.
Taylor Fritz, who was a finalist at the U.S. Open, has also indulged his enthusiasm for the esports phenomenon League of Legends by attending its world championships held in both Paris and London. “Engaging in these other competitive realms keeps me motivated,” Fritz shared in a discussion at the ATP Finals. “Gaming is a way for me to channel my competitive spirit when I’m off the court.”
Initially, he attended the semifinals in Paris just prior to the Paris Masters, and subsequently he traveled to London for the championship. This venture was purely for his personal enjoyment, not influenced by any sponsorship obligations. “The atmosphere at the O2 Arena was electric; it was truly one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had,” he noted.
Fritz is also an active player of League of Legends in his free time, taking on the role of “jungler,” which requires constant vigilance and strategic oversight. “You have to keep track of various elements in the game, making it quite demanding,” he explained. However, he avoids playing the game immediately before his tennis matches due to its mentally taxing nature, emphasizing the need to maintain focus. “It may sound odd, but the game can really drain your mental energy,” he confided.
Fritz has recently proven his focus on the tennis court as well. His journey to the U.S. Open final marked a significant milestone, as it made him the first American man in a Grand Slam singles final since Andy Roddick in 2009 and the first at the U.S. Open since Roddick’s 2006 appearance. “This is an achievement I hold close to my heart,” he remarked.
Now at 27 and tied for his highest-ever rank at No. 5, Fritz believes he has “several more really good years” ahead. “My career trajectory has always been one of consistent improvement,” he added. “While I sometimes wish I had this level of skill in my early twenties, I’m grateful to have reached this stage.”
Looking ahead to the ATP Finals, Fritz has started strong, defeating Daniil Medvedev easily in the opening round. His next match is against top seed Jannik Sinner in a highly anticipated rematch of the U.S. Open final, which Sinner won convincingly. “I feel I’ve worked on refining my game and I’m eager to test those improvements,” Fritz stated with enthusiasm.
Fritz’s inspiration for tennis comes from his childhood idol, Pete Sampras, as he sought to mirror Sampras’s heralded serve technique. “I used to lift my toe just like he did when I practiced,” he admitted, although he acknowledges their serves don’t look quite alike. Yet, at 6-foot-5, he’s become one of the tour’s standout servers, coached by Paul Annacone, who also once coached Sampras.
Interestingly, despite his tennis pedigree—his mother was a top-10 player and his father a coach—Fritz initially disliked tennis. “My dad had to incentivize me to step on the court,” he recalled. “I preferred every other sport as a kid, but my perspective changed as I matured, and I learned to appreciate the sport through competition.”
Fritz also shared his experiences balancing his personal life with his professional commitments, especially when it comes to his relationship with social media influencer Morgan Riddle. While he has improved at taking pictures for her Instagram, he admits it can be embarrassing when passersby watch him. “It’s awkward, but you do what you have to do,” he laughed, noting that Riddle also captures great moments for him.
Fritz discussed the impact of his eight-year-old son, Jordan, from a previous relationship, who surprisingly has shown little excitement over his father’s ranking. “He understood my U.S. Open achievement was significant, but he still holds me to a high standard,” Fritz said. “Until I reach the No. 1 spot, it seems like nothing will quite impress him.”