Taylor Fritz stands at the forefront of American men’s tennis, a beacon of hope in a nation yearning to end a 21-year Grand Slam drought. At 27, the California-born player has carved a path from a reluctant junior to a world No. 4, blending raw talent, stubborn determination, and a quiet confidence that’s reshaping expectations. His journey, marked by triumphs, setbacks, and a personal life that’s drawn as much attention as his forehand, is a story of grit and growth.
Born on October 28, 1997, in Rancho Santa Fe, Fritz grew up steeped in tennis. His mother, Kathy May, was a top-10 WTA player, and his father, Guy Fritz, a former pro turned coach, was named US Olympic Development Coach of the Year in 2016.
Tennis was in his blood, but young Taylor didn’t love it. “I just hated playing tennis,” he admitted in a 2024 interview, recalling how his dad bribed him to hit the court as a kid. He preferred basketball, soccer—anything else. Yet, something clicked as he matured, and by 15, he was competing in ITF junior events, a late start by pro standards.
Fritz’s junior career exploded in 2015. He reached the semifinals at Junior Wimbledon, won the Osaka Mayor’s Cup, and made finals at both the French Open and US Open juniors, defeating Tommy Paul in the latter to claim his first major junior title.
That year, he became the ITF Junior World Champion, the first American since Andy Roddick in 2000 to earn the honor. Turning pro at 17, Fritz didn’t waste time. He won back-to-back Challenger titles, rocketing from the 600s to the top 250 in the ATP rankings. By 2016, he was in the top 100, reaching the Memphis Open final in just his third ATP event—a feat only John Isner had matched among Americans.
His rise wasn’t without turbulence. Early Grand Slam appearances, like a five-set loss to Jack Sock at the 2016 Australian Open, exposed his inexperience. But Fritz learned fast. In 2017, he notched his first top-10 win against Marin Čilić at Indian Wells, and by 2019, he claimed his first ATP title in Eastbourne.
His breakthrough came in 2022, when he stunned Rafael Nadal to win the Indian Wells Masters 1000, a career-defining moment that signaled his arrival among the elite. “I feel like I belong,” Fritz said after reaching the 2024 US Open final, a sentiment earned through years of grinding.
The 2024 season was Fritz’s best yet. He reached the US Open final, falling to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner but becoming the first American man in 15 years to go that far in a major. He also contested the ATP Finals, defeating Daniil Medvedev in his opening match, and secured a bronze medal in doubles at the Paris Olympics. With eight ATP titles and a career-high ranking of No. 4, Fritz has cemented his status as America’s top singles player. His 17 major wins in 2024—more than double his previous best—show a player hitting his stride.
Off the court, Fritz’s life is as compelling as his game. Married at 18 to Raquel Pedraza, a fellow tennis player, he became a father in 2017 before their divorce in 2019. Since 2020, he’s been with Morgan Riddle, a social media influencer who’s become a fixture at his matches. Dubbed “the most famous woman in men’s tennis” by The New York Times, Riddle has sparked debate.
Some criticize her for capitalizing on Fritz’s career, while others credit her with drawing new fans to the sport. Fritz embraces the dynamic, calling her support crucial to his mental edge. Their playful rivalry over earnings at Grand Slams adds a lighthearted layer to their partnership. “It’s a healthy competition,” Riddle said, chuckling about their banter.
Fritz’s game is built on a booming serve and aggressive baseline play. His 2024 US Open run showcased his ability to dominate with precision, like his 90% first-serve point win rate against Matteo Berrettini. Yet, he’s candid about his limits. “I played very within myself,” he said after the US Open final, seeing room for growth as a strength, not a flaw.
His consistency—100 weeks in the top 10 and a 62% win rate in majors—sets him apart from peers like Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton. Still, the pressure to end the American men’s major drought, dating back to Roddick’s 2003 US Open win, looms large. “We all want to be the one to end it,” Fritz said.
His personality—dry humor, understated confidence—shines through in moments like his viral Instagram jab at Casper Ruud after Ruud’s Italian Open loss: “You almost had him.” It’s the same wit that makes him relatable, whether he’s joking with fans or navigating the spotlight with Riddle.
But Fritz shies away from the “superstar” label, focusing instead on results. His coach, Michael Russell, calls him “stubborn,” a trait that fuels his relentless pursuit of greatness.
As the Big Three—Nadal, Federer, Djokovic—fade, Fritz eyes a new era alongside Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. His 11 top-10 wins in 2024 across three surfaces prove he can hang with the best. The 2025 Australian Open, where he’ll likely be seeded to avoid Sinner until the semifinals, offers a golden chance to go one step further.
Whether he’s the one to break the drought remains uncertain, but Fritz’s journey—from a kid bribed to play to a man on the cusp of history—embodies the fight. “Once I do something once,” he said, “I feel a lot more confident I can do it again.”