Taylor Fritz has refuted claims from tennis fans that he ought to have played in the Wimbledon semifinal after Rafael Nadal's withdrawal.
Fritz led the legendary Spaniard by two sets to one and was on course to become the first player to defeat the 22-time Grand Slam champion at a major this season.
The American was in good form on grass prior to the Championships, having won the Eastbourne International 250 during the warm-up tournaments. Many people considered him one of the dark horses.
Everything looked to be in Fritz's favor, and he appeared to be healthier for the match than Nadal, who suffered from an abdominal and foot injury and required medical attention off-court during the contest. At one point, the former World No. 1 was urged by his father to throw in the towel.
Fritz became error-prone because he was unsure how to play an injured opponent. Nadal, who could sense this just a few meters away on the court, went for blood and was determined to win the match at all costs, even at the expense of it becoming a pyrrhic victory.
Nadal has always been a man who gives 100% at every point, and he did so to the last ball. He miraculously came away with the victory in five pulsating sets. But 24 hours later, he withdrew from his semifinal match.
Tennis fans were obviously just as disappointed and insisted on Fritz taking up his spot in the semis and playing Nick Kyrgios. Of course, that won't happen, as per the rules, which will allow the Australian to get a walkover into the final. Fritz said he was undeserving of such a consolation.
"Not looking for handouts, if I couldn’t beat him then I don’t deserve to be in semis... simple as that."