Taylor Fritz's Indian Wells Photo Diary
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Last year, Taylor Fritz was not favored to win the Indian Wells tournament. In a surprising upset, however, he defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets to take the title—becoming the first American man to win the California tournament since Andre Agassi in 2001. Netflix's Break Point, a recent docuseries about the tennis tour, takes viewers through Fritz's victory at Indian Wells the third episode, and as the tournament gets underway this year, all eyes are on Fritz to defend his title.
"It's tough not to feel a bigger spotlight this year," Fritz tells Town & Country. "I think there's more eyes on tennis, and a lot of people watch the show, but I don't feel like it adds any pressure. I always put a lot of pressure on myself already. So, that's what I feel—but I'm excited that there's a lot more eyes on tennis, in general." Fritz takes the court tomorrow in second round, where he's set to play fellow American Ben Shelton.
All eyes are on Fritz not just for Break Point, but because the California native just became world no. 5—the first American man to enter the top five since Andy Roddick in 2009. He continues to lead the way in U.S. men's tennis, and ahead of the tournament, Fritz shared some snaps of his last day of practice—and the drink he unwinds with to relax.
Breaking the top five rankings has been a huge goal for Fritz for years. "It's a really amazing feeling—you take a step back and look at it, it's a really big achievement. I'm super happy that I was able to do that. I want to push, wanna push even further, go even higher."
Fritz is pictured here with his team at practice before the tournament. His routine at Indian Wells looks a little different from how he works at home. "If I'm at home, I'll wake up pretty early, I'll go to practice, I'll go to the gym, then I'll practice for about two hours, maybe get lunch and then come back, practice for another hour and a half or so and then drive home and relax, play video games," he says.
There's a new mural of Fritz on the grounds of Indian Wells by Mike Sullivan, the official artist of the tournament (pictured here). Coming back to Indian Wells as a champion, Fritz says, is "amazing." He continues, "I think there's always been this really special feeling of coming back here and I think after last year winning it made that feeling even better—driving up in here and getting on the course, practicing, so many good memories."
California, Fritz says, is one of his favorite places. "It feels like I have home crowds," he says of playing there. "It's one of the only places in the world I feel like no matter who I play, I know they'll be cheering for me and have that energy. It feels great, gives me that extra bit of confidence, playing at home."
Behind Fritz is his mom, Kathy Fritz, a former professional tennis player.
He ended his practice day with a drink. One thing that's new this year for Fritz at Indian Wells is his partnership with tournament sponsor Maestro Dobel Tequila. "I love tequila!" he says with smile. "This is just something that I'm really excited for—I see a hopefully long partnership and there's so many other great athletes as well that I look forward to being with."
He poses with the Ace Paloma, the official cocktail of Indian Wells. "The first time I tried it was at [Western & Southern Open] last year, we were actually the ones making the drinks for people and I just ended up drinking them myself, " he says.
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