SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
2024 US Open finalist American Taylor Fritz makes his fourth Laver Cup appearance in Berlin where Team World is eyeing a third straight victory. He’ll seek to earn crucial points by replicating singles victories in London 2022 and Vancouver 2023 over Cameron Norrie and Andrey Rublev, respectively.
How it’s going
The stylish 26-year-old has had another career-defining season, clinching two titles to lift his career total to eight. In February, Fritz defeated Tommy Paul in straight sets to win the Delray Beach Open, becoming just the second player in history to defend his title at the Florida tournament. Four months later, Fritz secured another record, becoming the first ever three-time champion at Eastbourne, storming to the title without dropping a set.
He posted his best Grand Slam results throughout the season: at the Australian Open he booked a berth in the final eight after dispatching Team Europe’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. He also reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon by landing a stunning comeback to upset Team Europe’s Alex Zverev in an epic five-set match. Then in September, he became the first American man to reach the final of the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2006.
At the Olympics in Paris, the Californian competed in singles, mixed doubles and men’s doubles, teaming up with Paul to win the bronze medal for Team USA.
The motivation to play Laver Cup
“Laver Cup is one of the most fun weeks of the year,” said Fritz. “Being in this team environment, playing for Team World, being on the team with all my friends, just having that team energy competing and trying to win something together — that’s something we normally don’t do in tennis.”
“Getting the chance to celebrate with the team is always my favorite,” he added. “It’s something that you don’t get to do in tennis because it’s individual, you’re only celebrating with your team, you’re not celebrating with the other players so that’s something that’s always so fun for me.”
“I have more fun when I’m around all the guys and we’re hanging out and we’re all rooting for each other. We all want the same thing, you know?”
Beyond the team spirit and camaraderie, the PIF ATP World No. 7 said players are acutely aware of their mission: earning the right to hoist the trophy by the time play ends on Sunday.
“We all really care about it, I think both teams always want to win,” Fritz said. “It’s been such a prestigious event.”
Basking in the success of a Laver Cup victory is unlike any other experience, according to the right-handed American. “That feeling of getting it done with your friends on the team, the energy is amazing,” he said.
The key to winning Laver Cup
Fritz said Team World’s doubles success has been fundamental to their success.
“Especially day three, with the scoring system, you know there’s always a chance, no matter where you’re at,” he said, recalling Team World’s trio of wins on the final day of play in 2022 that flipped a 4-8 deficit to a victorious 13-8 scoreline, crowning them as Laver Cup champions for the first time.
Team World’s chemistry and balance of personalities is a bonus, according to Fritz, who enjoys supporting from the bench when he doesn’t have a racket in hand. “When I’m there watching them, I’m not at all thinking about them being my rivals,” Fritz said. “That’s such an amazing thing about the week, just for that week, these guys are my teammates, I want them to win the match as much as I want myself to win the match, it’s all the same and you can really just cheer all out for them and get into it and I think that’s one of the best things.”
Captain John McEnroe, who hands over the reins to Andre Agassi beginning in 2025, has been a positive coaching influence, Fritz said. “He’s so much fun and he’s such a legend, it’s been such a such an honor and an amazing experience to get to play under him and play for him.”
“He’s just such a such a great guy and such an icon … it’s been amazing to have this time with him over the years.”
Role on Team World
In 2022 and 2023, Team World sealed victory before Fritz could suit up for his day three singles matches, but he contributed two points during Saturday action those years. The American’s Laver Cup career win-loss record sits at 3-1.
Since his sensational debut with Team World at Laver Cup Geneva 2019, where he upset top 10 player Dominic Thiem on Day 3, Fritz has been a calming influence on his teammates and regularly contributes to team discussions about its daily lineup.
“I’m always willing to put the team first and put my biases aside when it comes to picking out match ups of who should play who, and who should play doubles,” he said. “I think that I can always give a very unbiased opinion on what I think is the best move for the team.”
