Told myself to fight: Fritz reacts after securing historic ATP Finals title match
Taylor Fritz revealed his relentless self-motivation during a thrilling clash against Alexander Zverev, which he won on November 16 to become the first American in 18 years to reach the ATP Finals title match. The 27-year-old battled through an intense two-hour and 20-minute duel, ultimately prevailing 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3). His victory ended a long-standing drought for American tennis, with James Blake being the last to achieve the feat in 2006.
Fritz sealed the match with a stunning forehand winner in the deciding set, which went to a tie-breaker. Speaking after the match, Fritz highlighted the mental and physical challenges he faced, particularly in the cliffhanger final set. He revealed how during the decisive set, there were multiple moments when he was motivating himself to stay focused and resilient against the World No. 2, Zverev, who applied immense pressure with his strong returns and break-point opportunities.
“I felt like I played an almost perfect first set, but things can change so quickly when you’re playing someone like Sascha…I found myself in some tough spots in the third, when we both started to get on each other’s serves even more,” Fritz said.
“When I was trying to be aggressive, I didn’t feel like it was doing much. I just told myself at the end that I had to fight and be solid and tried to take care of my serve the best I could and give him absolutely nothing from the back,” he added.
The match began with Fritz showcasing dominance in the first set, but Zverev rebounded strongly, keeping Fritz on his toes throughout the second. The American managed to hold his nerve, relying on his powerful serve and precision under pressure. He struck an impressive 32 winners, and in a crucial moment, became the first player to break Zverev’s serve this week—a pivotal factor in his triumph.
Fritz’s serve game and composure under pressure in Turin were instrumental in securing his fifth final appearance of the season. The victory also marked a significant milestone, as it solidified Fritz’s ability to perform at the highest level against elite players on the tour.
Having fallen short in the 2022 ATP Finals semi-finals, Fritz is now eager to claim his biggest career title. He awaits the winner of the other semi-final between World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Danish star Casper Ruud. With a chance to etch his name in history, Fritz will look to carry his momentum and determination into the final, aiming to cap off a remarkable season with a career-defining victory.
