"My goal is to win" - Fritz clear about his goals ahead of 2022 ATP Finals
ATP
Taylor Fritz admitted that his goal is to win the 2022 ATP Finals, even though he wasn't supposed to be among the eight players competing.
Thanks to Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal, but also his superb 2022 season, Fritz will make his first appearance at the year-end ATP event in Turin. The 25-year-old American finished ninth in the ATP Race this season.
But since one spot freed up after the World No. 1 pulled out, Fritz switched from the first alternate to one of the participants. He will meet Rafael Nadal, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Casper Ruud in the green group at the 2022 ATP Finals.
While he managed to beat the 22-time Grand Slam champion once this year and also defeated Auger-Aliassime, he never faced Ruud, so they will meet for the first time in Turin. Speaking ahead of the event, Fritz admitted that he sees playing against Nadal as "a big deal."
"Playing Rafa is a big deal. The match we had at Wimbledon was very close. Between the two matches we’ve played, there were highs [after Indian Wells] and lows [following Wimbledon]."
Prior to the start of this season, Fritz clearly set his goals, and after 62 matches, he can conclude that he was successful as he will certainly finish the year in the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings, and he also made it to the ATP Finals.
"When I started the year, my initial goal was Top 10. After how the year started, I was like, ‘I’m definitely in a good position to make it here [Turin]’. It became a goal of mine, I’m excited to be here."
Despite being the lowest-ranked player at the event, the American doesn't think about winning a match or two. He wants to win the whole event like every other player in the draw.
"To win [is my goal]! I think what makes all the people here who they are is everyone goes into the event believing they can win. I obviously want to have a good showing, but like everyone else, I’m here to win the event."
