Taylor Fritz has had more difficulties than expected this start of the season, especially after being eliminated by French veteran Gael Monfils at the 2025 Australian Open.
ADVERTISEMENT
The world No.4 who had a truly significant rise in the second half of 2024 (in which he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open) expected to perform better in the first two months of the new year, but was also affected by a knee injury.
The American ace had to withdraw from the Acapulco ATP 500 despite having already arrived on-site and it was feared that he could also miss the Indian Wells Masters 1000 - a very special tournament for him - which he grew up in these areas and triumphed in the 2022 edition.
Fritz comments on his performance
Despite having doubts about his actual shape, Fritz put in a good performance on his debut in California by defeating Italian player Matteo Gigante in straight sets.
ADVERTISEMENT
"If I think about it now, I realize that it was not a good idea to play in Delray Beach and then go to Acapulco" - confessed Taylor.
"I hadn't touched the racket in a couple of weeks and I didn't have many expectations for my first match here in Indian Wells.
The most positive news is that I was able to play free and without thinking about my injury, which has bothered me a lot in recent weeks and has affected my performance.
There are still some aspects I need to work on and improve if I want to go far in the tournament, but I can be quite satisfied with my performance against Gigante" added the American.
Fritz's next opponent will be Chilean ace Alejandro Tabilo, who is not a hard court specialist but who feels particularly good on this slow surface.
ADVERTISEMENT
The change of surface decided by the organizers after 25 years should have made the courts faster and with lower bounces, instead the effect was the opposite.
The surface has become slower again and really similar to red clay.
