'I Need To Care Less': Fritz On Succeeding Without Expectations

| by Nurein Ahmed

Taylor Fritz says it's exciting times for American tennis when his peers are making huge strides in pushing each other to maximize on their potential.

There are eight American men in the world's Top 50 on the ATP Tour (that number was actually in double digits at the turn of the year), and Fritz reckons his countrymen are driven to reprise what the other is doing each passing week.

He related to his own fledgling rise when he won the 2022 Indian Wells Masters as paving the way for the like of Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul to write their own imprint. Tiafoe would sensationally go all the way to the semifinal of the US Open last summer, notching a career-best win over Rafael Nadal in the process.

This season, Paul was another American Grand Slam semifinalist, showcasing his talents at the Australian Open. The likes of J.J. Wolf and Ben Shelton also made waves Down Under and are firmly entrenched in the world's Top 50.

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Speaking on the Tennis Channel desk at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters, Fritz believes each one of them is looking over their shoulder trying to see what the other has done.

"We’re all motivated off each other, and I’ve said it so many times, once one of us goes and has a big result, everyone else sees that, and they’re like, Wow. It’s like he did it, so even I can do it, and then you want to come back and at least match them or you want to one up them."

"It's always happened with smaller increments like someone makes quarters, a semifinal, or wins an ATP 250 title and it really took off. When I won Indian Wells, Francis goes and makes the US Open semis, and Tommy makes the Australian Open semis. I think we’re all just trying to build off each other."

Fritz was quizzed about the importance of stacking up good results prior to a Grand Slam. While the ideal situation is always to head into a major with sufficient match wins under your belt in order to enjoy a productive fortnight, it doesn't always play out that way according to the World No. 9.

"It’s always good for confidence, but I had a lot of confidence going into the US Open last year, and it didn't work out for me. I had zero confidence going into Atlanta (this year), and I won Atlanta, so at this point, it is what it is. I just need to care less probably and hopefully, I’ll play better."

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