[BLOG] Fritzmania!

[El Dude]

Something a bit different from my Open Era Generations series. Look for the next installment of that later this week.

 

[Riotbeard]

Something a bit different from my Open Era Generations series. Look for the next installment of that later this week.

Great post! Fritz thankfully doesn't have to carry all the weight of expectations on his shoulders with some other strong American peers. I think being the next great American really hurt the development of both Harrison and Young.

 

[El Dude]

Yeah, that could be. Fritz also pretty much appeared from nowhere. I mean, who heard of him a year ago?

Anyhow, it will be interesting to see how he does at Slams. We shouldn't be discouraged with a bunch of 1st and 2nd round losses, especially considering he's likely to be facing some pretty tough foes until he gets better rankings.

 

[herios]

Yeah, that could be. Fritz also pretty much appeared from nowhere. I mean, who heard of him a year ago?

The expectation weighted heavily on Young's shoulders and he looked pretty fragile mentally. But Harrison, let's face it, had no BH and attitude to boost. He was arguing with the umpires like a multi slam winner and breaking racquets on a regular basis.
From that point of view, Fritz will never turn into another Young nor Harrison.
Now, how good he will be, time will tell.
Since he won those 2 challengers in October, I posted in that USA report thread that he is very impressive, while he was still ranked outside of the top 200, that was only 4 months ago.
Even after that the media did not turn on the hyping machine, because they were busy with Tiafoe.
Just check what wiki says about Tiafoe: "is an American junior tennis player and is widely hyped as the United States' next tennis star"
Meanwhile Fritz zoomed in the rankings past Tiafoe who's results are more inconsistent than Fritz and who has yet to win one challenger (Fritz won 3).
.I am sure the hype machine will now turn onto Taylor, but he looks to have a good head on his shoulders.
He stated he wants to stay away of the "high expectations" hopefully and will deal better with the pressure.

 

[nehmeth]

Yeah, that could be. Fritz also pretty much appeared from nowhere. I mean, who heard of him a year ago?

The expectation weighted heavily on Young's shoulders and he looked pretty fragile mentally. But Harrison, let's face it, had no BH and attitude to boost. He was arguing with the umpires like a multi slam winner and breaking racquets on a regular basis.

I never heard either of those two mentioned as the 'next great American'. I don't know how much the scrutiny actually affected them but it may have. Young's back and forth between the ATP and his parents was an ongoing problem for a number of years. That's no sign of stability. And Harrison, is all attitude with no real weaponry to back it up.

E.D. stated it well. I doubt Fritz was on many one-to-watch lists a year ago, but there he was playing in his first final way before Novak or Fed ever did*. His bowing out early to newlywed Tim Smyczek, was probably a good thing. It gets him away from the spotlight and allows him to rest up and be ready for Indian Wells.

* http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=14779093

 

[herios]

Thanks nehmeth, a really good article with Taylor.
I watched most of the match with Smyczek, He was sluggish, looked tired, while on the other side Smyczek was jumping and moving all the time like an energizer bunny.
Fritzy played 5 singles and 3 doubles in Memphis, so I was not surprised with the outcome in Delray.
He is already in Acapulco training. So he wil play next week again, but this time around more rested.

 

[El Dude]

With the win over Chardy, Taylor is solidly in the top 100 at #86 in the live rankings.

 

[herios]

With the win over Chardy, Taylor is solidly in the top 100 at #86 in the live rankings.

True. Very good signs that he is able to defend top 50 players already: Johnson, Chardy.

 

[Riotbeard]

Decent interview with Fritz. It does put in perspective when you think about that six months ago he was ranked around 900.

Interview with Fritz and Mom

 

[herios]

Decent interview with Fritz. It does put in perspective when you think about that six months ago he was ranked around 900.

Interview with Fritz and Mom

Thanks for posting. Very interesting read.
The more I read about this young athlete, the more I like him.
I hope he remains genuine and hungry.

 

[herios]

At LA Lakers in an elite company

 

[El Dude]

I recognize Tommy Haas and Taylor Fritz, but who is that other guy?

 

[herios]

I recognize Tommy Haas and Taylor Fritz, but who is that other guy?

An old dude
:laydownlaughing

 

[isabelle]

Fritz already beaten in IW.....the road 'll be long !!

 

[herios]

Taylor was not given a WC in Miami. I think that will benefit him, to get into his rhythm in the qualifying rounds.

 

[herios]

The youngest player in the top 100, Taylor Fritz got engaged:

https://twitter.com/Taylor_Fritz97/status/737415675921223681

:clap

 

[GameSetAndMath]

The youngest player in the top 100, Taylor Fritz got engaged:

https://twitter.com/Taylor_Fritz97/status/737415675921223681

:clap

Is not he too youngaged to be engaged. uzzled

 

[El Dude]

Yeah, the kid needs to play the field more, sample the options.

Seriously though, maybe this is a good thing - keep him focused and not chasing tail constantly like Grigor.

 

[Fiero425]

I recognize Tommy Haas and Taylor Fritz, but who is that other guy?

I think it's Quentin Tarantino! :angel: :dodgy: :laydownlaughing

 

[El Dude]

Haha, never noticed the resemblance, but it's there.