Fritz: "I can play without pain, I just need time on the court"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 18 May 2026 | 12.27

Taylor Fritz, return in Geneva and expectations for Roland Garros. Photo: gettyimages

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Taylor Fritz returns to competition at the ATP 250 in Geneva 2026 after more than two months without playing official matches. The American, who had been dealing with physical issues since the beginning of the season, explained how his knee injury has evolved, which heavily influenced his calendar. He made it clear that his top priority now is to regain competitive rhythm for Roland Garros and the grass court season.

The American number one acknowledged that he needed much more time than expected to fully recover, although he stated that his current feelings are positive and that clay is helping him manage his movements better physically. Additionally, Taylor Fritz discussed the reasons why he returns to Geneva every year and also shared his opinion on the ongoing debate between players and Grand Slams regarding the financial distribution in professional tennis.

His knee recovery and time away from the courts

"It is much better. I have improved a lot. Obviously, I needed a lot of time off just to strengthen it. When I had tests after Miami, there was already a significant improvement compared to what the tests showed at the beginning of the preseason. My original plan was to rehab during the preseason and continue while competing, but it wasn't working because the pain was still there. The good news is that it was improving all that time."

"I didn't want to stop for as long as I ended up having to, but the doctor told me that with six more weeks, I could finally overcome that difficult point. It's not perfect, and it won't be immediately because it takes time. Right now, it's at a level where I feel I can play without pain. I can return to training the next day without feeling that the knee gets too irritated. It has improved a lot."

Feelings on clay court before Roland Garros

"It's difficult to know for sure, but when I returned to training on clay, I had very good feelings because on this surface, I don't need to brake as hard on the footwork, and I can slide into the corners. Obviously, I will also play longer exchanges, so I don't know exactly how my body will respond yet, but for now, I feel good on clay. I will really know when I play on grass again and then on hard courts."

"I hope to feel good physically this week. I know I will feel some discomfort here and there, but I don't think it will be enough to really affect me. That's why I decided to take so much time off and not return earlier in Rome. For me, now it's about the matches and getting back to competing. I want to feel confident in my game before Roland Garros and Wimbledon. It's been two months without playing official matches, and that almost never happens in tennis. I need matches."

His special connection with the Geneva tournament

"I really like the city and the tournament. I think it's a great event, and they have always treated me very well here. Normally, I'm not a fan of playing the week before a Grand Slam, but there is something important: the entire clay court season is played with Dunlop balls, and Roland Garros uses Wilson balls. This week here also uses Wilson balls. I don't think it's ideal to arrive at Roland Garros without having played any tournament with the official Grand Slam ball. That's why it makes a lot of sense to compete here this week."

Fritz's admiration for Novak Djokovic

"It's incredible. I already said it in Australia: the passion and love for this sport that he still has to compete the way he does is impressive. He has absolutely nothing to prove. He is already a legend of this sport. I hope that when I am older, I have the same passion and love for tennis that he has right now."

His stance on the financial distribution at the Grand Slams

"I have been in meetings with other important players on this issue. It's easy for the Grand Slams to not pay the same percentage of revenue as other tournaments because they already distribute more money than the rest. But in the end, we players are the ones who generate the tournament and drive the revenue. One of the things that I don't find fair is that the percentage allocated to prize money is lower than last year. I don't think that is fair at all."

Taylor Fritz faces a very important comeback in Geneva after weeks marked by physical recovery and uncertainty about his knee. The American seems to have overcome the worst part of the injury and is now focusing all his efforts on regaining competitive rhythm before Roland Garros and Wimbledon. His statements reflect optimism, prudence, and the sense that he is returning to the circuit with the intention of quickly regaining his best form.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Fritz: "Puedo jugar sin dolor, solo necesito tiempo en pista"