ATP Munich: Taylor Fritz – “Pickleball is not a competitor for tennis” tennisnet.com

Taylor Fritz only intervenes in the events of the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Munich on Thursday. On Tuesday, the US number one commented on several topics in its press conference.

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By Jens Huiber from Munich

Yes, they did exist, the American winners at the MTTC Iphitos in Munich: in 1973 Sandy Mayer, for example, in 1982 Gene Mayer – and if you wish also in 1993 Ivan Lendl, who of course comes from Czechoslovakia and only later acquired US citizenship assumed. Andre Agassi made it to the final once, but narrowly lost to Thomas Enqvist in 1998.

Since then, the Americans have had a break in Munich, yes, actually also on European sand (Agassi won the last major title in 1999 in Roland Garros). Can Taylor Fritz break this spell one day? The current world number ten did not make a particularly convincing impression at his press conference on Tuesday afternoon in Munich. The red sand – the still unknown being. And that despite the fact that Fritz had even reached the semifinals last week in Monte Carlo after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Fritz starts in Munich against Fucsovic

“It’s difficult to explain because it’s two different things,” Taylor Fritz began. The green sand that is commercially available in the USA can hardly be compared with that used in Europe. He first played on green clay at the age of about 14, the Terre Battue only came into play two years later when he embarked on a tour of smaller tournaments.

When asked about the differences, Fritz said that from his point of view the green sand was much more slippery. “When I play on red clay, the ball bounces are better, I can also move better. I have a lot more control.” He also hasn’t figured out if he can play really well on clay. His favorite surfaces are hard court and grass.

In Munich, however, he has to play on the still unfamiliar terrain on Thursday, Marton Fucsovics will be his first opponent. Taylor Fritz had an interesting explanation for why he first came to this event: “I’ve only heard good things about the tournament from players who usually like to complain.”

“Perfect for people who are not athletic enough for tennis”

The rather reserved Fritz really blossomed on a completely different topic: Pickleball, the new trend sport in the USA, which started with a celebrity doubles (with Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang) a few days ago for strong TV ratings had taken care of. Can Pickleball Outperform Tennis? Because, Fritz admitted when asked, in order to anchor tennis more in the consciousness of US fans. A Grand Slam victory must come from him or one of his compatriots.

Looking in the direction of Pickleball, Fritz is very relaxed. “It’s not competition for tennis. Pickleball is fun, easy to play. It’s perfect for people who aren’t athletic enough for tennis. That’s why it’s so popular. Almost anyone can play it without being really bad. People will never choose pickleball over tennis. Every pickleball player has a tennis background but wasn’t good enough to go pro.”

Here is the individual tableau in Munich

munichmap

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