My Wimbledon: Taylor Fritz

Taylor Fritz will make his seventh appearance at Wimbledon when he takes to court on Monday against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.

The ninth-seeded American, who advanced to the quarter-finals last year, caught up with ATPTour.com ahead of his opening match to discuss his favourite Wimbledon memories, moments and much more…

What is your first Wimbledon memory?
I didn’t really watch a lot of tennis growing up, but one memory I do have is that crazy Rafa and Fed final. It was some match.

What is your first memory of playing at Wimbledon?
I played as a junior. It was really cool. It is the most prestigious tournament in tennis, so the first time there was a wow feeling. ‘I’m here, I made it’. You take a step back and kind of look at it once you get there.

What is your favourite moment at Wimbledon?
I think just the first time I was there as a junior. I made a really big breakthrough and probably started to think that maybe I could actually be a successful professional tennis player. Because I was not ranked that high or anything as a junior. I made the semi-finals of the juniors when I was 16. And I think that’s really when I was like, ‘Wow, maybe this is something I might actually be good enough to do, to become a professional’.

And then of course, last year winning my round of 16 match to make quarter-finals for the first time. That was a big moment for me. I’d never been to quarter-finals of a Slam.

Do you have a favourite Wimbledon tradition?
I think at times the little details might be a little strict. But at the end of the day, I think all the traditions are a big part. It’s good. I think the tradition in the end is what makes Wimbledon, Wimbledon. And it wouldn’t quite be the same without the all-white, without the strawberries and cream. I think if these things were to change, Wimbledon wouldn’t quite be Wimbledon.

Do you have a favourite court at Wimbledon?
Not yet. But we will see after this year.

What is your favourite part about being in London?
It’s definitely nice after traveling around Europe a lot to be in another English-speaking country. That’s something that you miss a lot. I just enjoy being here. The buzz around Wimbledon’s always great. It’s great to feel the energy of people, who are really excited and care about tennis.