'No Disrespect' - Taylor Fritz Brushes Off Pickleball
ATP
Taylor Fritz has dismissed the idea of pursuing the increasingly popular sport of pickleball.
The revelation came after Fritz's commanding victory over Emilio Nava at the 2023 Miami Open, where the 25-year-old, currently ranked as the World No. 10, needed just under an hour to secure a 6-4, 6-1 win and advance to the third round of the event.
During a post-match interview with Prakash Amritraj on the Tennis Channel, Fritz was asked about his off-court interests and whether he'd been practicing pickleball, given his impressive performance on the court. Fritz revealed that it was only his second time playing the sport, much to Amritraj's astonishment, who initially asked:
“You looked pretty good on the pickleball court. My question is, have you put in much time on the pickleball court?"
When queried about the possibility of investing more time in pickleball, Fritz dismissed the idea, stating that it was far too simple for someone already well-versed in the world of tennis.
“No disrespect to pickleball players, but pickleball’s way easier. Once you understand the rules and what to do, it’s an easy transition with tennis. I’ll play here and there, but (I have) golf and other stuff that I like to do.”
Instead, Fritz plans to focus on other hobbies like golf, which he finds more challenging and engaging than the trendy sport of pickleball. This statement from a Top 10 player highlights the difference in difficulty levels between the two racquet sports, with tennis being considered the more demanding of the pair.
Though Fritz has no plans to become a serious pickleball player, he hasn't ruled out playing the sport occasionally for fun. It seems that for now, the American will continue to focus on his tennis career and other hobbies, leaving pickleball enthusiasts to master the court without him.
