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25 Aug 2025 | 00.44
Taylor Fritz wants to repeat the feat of last season at the US Open, when he fell in the final against Jannik Sinner. The American is aware of the challenging task ahead, especially given his performance on this North American hard court swing. However, he has started on the right foot by overcoming his compatriot Emilio Nava in the first round of the New York major (6-4, 6-2, 6-3).
After his first victory in this edition, the Californian attended the press conference to discuss his level in the debut, the usual challenges of the first round of a Grand Slam, as well as the entry of various sponsors on the shirt sleeves and about the level of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Debut with victory over Nava
"It's not fun to play against him, I guess, he's also a dangerous player in the first round. He has a great serve, hits the ball hard, and it's difficult to break his serve. It's a match where, I guess, I can't control or do much. He will be the first to attack and get many free points with his serve."
"It's not just the first round of the US Open. In most Grand Slams, in general, it's just the first round, you're a little nervous, and you have to get through the first set, and then I can relax a bit and play a bit better during the match. I'm happy to have overcome that tight first set."
More sponsors on the shirts
"I think that more and more companies are becoming interested in tennis. I have the feeling that all brands want to launch a tennis line, even those that do not necessarily sponsor tennis players, just because it has become popular, like sportswear and leisurewear in general. I think there are many options for players. In my case, I thought Boss was a very suitable option for me. Yes, I think many of the major tennis brands are starting to focus on a couple of people they want, and that's it."
About his great relationship with Frances Tiafoe
"I probably have too many funny stories. But yes, Tiafoe is one of a kind. He is one of my best friends, no doubt. We have always gotten along very well. The best way to describe our relationship, why we get along so well, is that we both can laugh a lot at ourselves. So with him, we never stop teasing each other all the time."
"The first thing that comes to mind right now is the other day when we were playing mixed doubles, yes, he beat me 4-2, 4-2, I came off the court, and he teased me the whole time, saying we were crushed and that we were beaten badly. He sent me a message as soon as he came off the court, saying: ‘I can't even tease you, we got smashed’. He said: ‘We got destroyed’. You know, we see each other and laugh about it. That's our relationship, neither of us takes the other too seriously. We are always kidding each other."
He likes playing on Louis Armstrong Court
"I don't necessarily request it. I care more about playing at the time of day I want to play than the type of court, I suppose. So it's hard to be picky about the schedules at Arthur Ashe. I really don't like some of the schedules during the day on Center Court because there's a huge shadow crossing the court. It's something that bothers me quite a bit. So last year, in particular, I requested to play on the Armstrong court because it was easier to get the daytime slot I wanted to play the match."
"But honestly, this year I had nothing to say about this match. I didn't want to play on Sunday, and I also didn't want to play early. So I got today. Yes, I usually care more about getting the time of day I want to play than whether it's at Ashe or Armstrong. If I can get something better, that it's on Armstrong, then I'll go to Armstrong. By now, I've had many good matches and a good track record on Armstrong. So I definitely like the court."
Grateful for the support of his compatriots
"Certainly, it's never going to be a problem to feel really excited, cheered on, and motivated on the court with the crowd rooting for me. I think it also adds a little more pressure that I'm playing my local Grand Slam and, obviously, I want to get a good result. But yes, it's great to have the crowd cheering for you, no doubt."
About good streaks and his relationship with good results
"It's not necessarily about the results. It's about how I feel, I suppose, playing. You know, my performance on grass courts this year gives me more confidence than maybe last year's US Open because I felt I was playing at a higher level, in my opinion, throughout this year's grass season than maybe when I got here."
"At the same time, I have a lot of confidence in the performance here because I can achieve a result where I go so far in a Grand Slam without feeling that I'm playing incredibly well, but I'm playing well, not as well as I know I can. So, I would say that, at the end of last year, the World Tour Finals were very important. I thought I was playing my best tennis. And then, yes, at Wimbledon this year, at Indian Wells in 2022, I think I judge more by how I feel I hit the ball in training and in matches, and not so much by the results, I suppose."
Sinner or Alcaraz?
"You're trying to get me completely crushed by the fans of one of them. You're not going to win. You can't win with this answer. I really don't know. It's impossible, impossible to say. I think Jannik Sinner and his results have been more consistent, but the highest level that you can see in tennis is when Carlos Alcaraz is in form. But don't make me look ridiculous in front of their fans".
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fritz: "Sinner es más consistente, pero el nivel más alto que se puede ver en el tenis es cuando Alcaraz está en forma"
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