‘No way it’s real!’ – Taylor Fritz triumphs in Indian Wells to become first American champ for 21 years
Taylor Fritz has become the first American to win Indian Wells since Andre Agassi and Serena Williams claimed the men’s and women’s titles in 2001, when Fritz was just three years old.ย ย
Moreover, as a California native, Fritz has the pleasure of claiming his biggest title to date in his home state at a tournament he grew up attending.
The 24-year-old downed an admittedly physically hampered Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to end his incredible 2022 win streak at 20.
Fritz said: “This is just one of those childhood dreams, winning this tournament especially, Indian Wells.
“This is one of those dreams that you just never even think can come true, I just keep saying no, no no way it’s real.”
Triumphant Taylor! ๐
An inspired @Taylor_Fritz97 pulls off spectacular win over Nadal 6-3 7-6 to win the biggest title of his career!#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/lxWCRvSji6
โ Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 21, 2022
In the time since Agassi and Williams won in 2001, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick and John Isner in the men’s on top of Lindsey Davenport and Serena again in the women’s have all been finalists but not champions.
Now Fritz, who previously had just one title to his name, at ATP 250 level from Eastbourne 2019, joins compatriot contemporaries Isner and Jack Sock as a Masters 1000 champion.
Fritz was already the American number one on the ATP tour but will now climb to a new career-high of world number 13, one spot behind 2021 Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie.
Fritz is unsure whether he will continue on to the Miami Masters beginning Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury ahead of today’s final.
He added after the victory that he will get an MRI scan in the coming days before electing whether to play the Florida event where Polish world number 11 Hubert Hurkacz is defending champion.
๐พ Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter
๐พย Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club
๐พ Social >>Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
๐พ Order >> World’s best tennis magazine
๐พ Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner