Taylor Fritz has advanced to his third Wimbledon quarterfinal, showcasing his exceptional talent on grass with a commanding—even if shortened—performance. The fifth-seeded American established his dominance early against Australia’s Jordan Thompson, leading 6-1, 3-0 before Thompson was compelled to retire due to a leg injury.
Though the sun was shining outside, play on No. 1 Court commenced under a closed roof due to impending rain—a prudent decision, as thunder soon rolled and a sudden downpour interrupted the match.
Fritz set an electrifying pace right from the start with a blistering 136 mph ace on the opening point. He maintained complete control, serving effortlessly at love and finishing the first set in a mere 41 minutes. His statistics were impressive: six aces, zero double faults, and a clean slate of 12-for-12 on his first serves. He dropped only one point on his second serve.
The American’s ground game was equally impressive. Fritz unleashed 20 winners, including six forehands and five backhands, committing just three unforced errors. His movement around the court was exceptional, as he retrieved balls that appeared unreachable, displaying patience in crafting his points.
(AP Photo: Joanna Chan)
At love-3 in the second set, Thompson requested a medical timeout and left the court. Upon his return, down love-40, a forehand cross from Fritz proved too demanding, leading Thompson to approach the net and retire.
In the post-match press conference, Fritz expressed his disappointment: “It’s unfortunate. I understand he’s been active lately, including a three-set doubles match yesterday. I admire his effort to carry on.”
He added, “It’s saddening. I felt focused and in great form, ready for an excellent match, but that’s how it goes.”
Fritz now boasts more grass-court victories than any player on tour since 2020. When asked when he recognized his affinity for the surface, he stated:
“From my very first junior competition on grass, I felt an eagerness to embrace the surface. It seemed to complement my style. I experienced great results right away.
“My significant breakthrough in juniors occurred at junior Wimbledon. Since then, I’ve found that many elements of my game thrive on grass. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various strategies—returns, chipping, slicing, and even approaching on low balls.
“While I don’t drastically alter my game, I make small adjustments that really enhance my performance. I adapt my strategies based on my opponent.”
Fritz also shared insights on managing the rhythm of a major tournament: “Experience is invaluable. Having gone through it several times helps tremendously. I stick to a consistent routine—match days, off days, and all the details in between, which boosts my confidence.”
When it comes to routine, Fritz admitted to being a bit superstitious. “I take the concept of ‘never change a winning formula’ to the extreme,” he chuckled. “Everything follows the same order—almost obsessively.”
As he gears up to face 20th-seeded Karen Khachanov in the quarters, Fritz noted:
“Our playing styles are quite alike. We practice frequently, so we know each other’s games well. However, I’ve improved significantly and evolved as a player since our last match.”
When asked what he admires about Khachanov’s game, Fritz responded, “He has an impressive backhand. It’s truly remarkable.”
