Twenty-one-year-old American Taylor Fritz earned his maiden title on Saturday in Eastbourne, toppling compatriot Sam Querrey, 6-3, 6-4, in the final.
The Wimbledon grass-court tuneup saw Fritz face off against some of the top seeds in the draw, including No. 1 Guido Pella of Argentina in the Round of 16 and No. 3 Kyle Edmund of Great Britain in the semifinals.
In the marquee match against Querrey, Fritz won 89 percent of his first-serve points en route to the title, taking the championship in just 61 minutes. Fritz is the first American to win in Eastbourne since Andy Roddick in 2012.
Here’s more on the up-and-coming American, who moved up to a career-high ranking of No. 31 following his win.
The Taylor Fritz File
Age: 21
Birthplace: Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Current Rank: 31
Career-High Rank: 31 (July 2019)
Best US Open Finish: Round 3 (2018)
The Baseline
- California native Fritz started playing tennis thanks to his parents, both of whom played professionally. His father, Guy, was his first coach, and mother, Kathy May, was a Top-10 player on the women’s tour, who won seven WTA titles.
- Fritz had a stand-out junior career, finishing the 2015 season as the No. 1-ranked junior in the world after reaching the quarterfinals or better at all Grand Slam tournaments that year, including earning the junior US Open title, defeating fellow American Tommy Paul in the final, and reaching the French Open boys' final.
- The very next year, Fritz turned pro and reached the Memphis final in his third tournament, becoming the youngest ATP finalist since Kei Nishikori won Delray Beach in 2008. In 2016, Fritz was the youngest player in the ATP's Top 100, ranking as high as No. 53 in August.
- Fritz continues to keep tennis in the family. In 2016, he married Raquel Pedraza, another former top-ranked junior player who made an appearance at all four junior Grand Slams. Together, the pair has a son, Jordan, born in January 2017.
They Said It!
"It's so amazing. I almost can't even believe it. I'm still trying to take it in. I've wanted to win a Tour title ever since I made the final of one when I was 18. It feels like I've just been waiting so long. I'm so happy." – Fritz on winning his maiden title in Eastbourne
