The 25-year-old Taylor Fritz had a splendid season which ended after he lost in the semifinals of the ATP Finals against eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
Taylor Fritz started the year by playing in the ATP Cup. He defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie but lost to Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Team USA finished last in their group.
Fritz had an impressive Australian Open campaign. He played in the second week of a Grand Slam competition for the first time in his career. He eventually lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in a riveting five-set clash in the fourth round.
The American youngster played in the Dallas Open but couldn’t progress beyond the quarterfinals. At the Mexican Open, Fritz lost to Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka in the round of 16.
Fritz entered the BNP Paribas Open as the 20th seed. He became the first American to reach the final since John Isner in 2012 by beating Andrey Rublev in the semifinals. Fritz pulled off a stunning win against three-time champion Rafael Nadal in the final to claim his first Masters 1000 title. With this win, Fritz ended the legendary Spaniard’s 20-match winning streak. He became the first American to win the title after Andre Agassi’s triumph in 2001.
Fritz couldn’t progress beyond the round of 16 at the Miami Open. He entered ATP Houston as the second seed but his campaign ended with a loss to fifth seed Cristian Garin in the quarterfinals.
At the Monte-Carlo Masters, Fritz failed to close out his quarter-final clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after winning the first set.
A left foot injury ruled Fritz out of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open. He returned at the French Open but his campaign ended abruptly in the second round, following a shock defeat to Spanish qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
Fritz had a disappointing start to his grass-court season as he lost in the round of 16 of the Libema Open against Tim van Rijthoven. Things didn’t get any better in the Queen’s Club Championships that followed. He was ousted by Jack Draper in the round of 32.
The turnaround in Eastbourne and ATP Finals debut
Fritz’s only title before this season began came in Eastbourne in 2019. He made it to the finals this year in Eastbourne after defeating defending champion Alex de Minaur in the semifinals. Fritz went on to win the title as he defeated compatriot Maxime Cressy.
Fritz used the momentum to reach the quarterfinals of a major for the first time at Wimbledon. He squandered a two-set lead against Rafael Nadal as the legendary Spaniard progressed to the semis.
Fritz lost in the round of 16 at the Citi Open and the Canadian Open. He fared better at the Western & Southern Open and reached the quarterfinals. Daniil Medvedev ousted him. Fritz was expected to have a deep run at the US Open. However, he disappointed the home fans and crashed out in the first round following a defeat to fellow America Brandon Holt.
Fritz was diagnosed with COVID-19 and that forced him to withdraw from the Korea Open. He returned at the Japan Open and went the distance to lift his third title of the season. The 25-year-old defeated Frances Tiafoe in straight sets in the final to become the first American champion at the tournament in 26 years.
He lost in the round of 16 at the Vienna Open and round of 32 at the Paris Masters after losing to Denis Shapovalov and Gilles Simon, respectively.
Fritz made his ATP Finals debut and made his way to the semis after finishing second in his group which comprised the likes of Casper Ruud, Rafael Nadal, and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Eventual champion Novak Djokovic ousted Fritz after losing two competitive sets.
The world No. 9 ranked player finished with 46 wins and 21 losses in the year with a win percentage of 68.66. He earned prize money of $4,489,807 during the season.
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