The third episode of the Netflix tennis documentary showed how Taylor Fritz had an argument with the coach Paul Annacone before the Indian Wells Masters final against Rafael Nadal, as his coach did not want him to go away with a possible broken foot, but Fritz challenged his coach and other team members.
On the morning of the Indian Wells final against Nadal, Fritz collapsed on the practice court after experiencing excruciating pain in his foot. After the on-site doctor did a basic check on Fritz’s foot, he told him and his team that they might be dealing with a broken foot and told Fritz directly that if he were his son, he would advise him. not to play that game because leaving «could cause more harm than good». But Fritz took the first shot, returned to the practice court, and that’s when the argument between him and Annacone began.
Annacone: You cannot see it, but you are doubting. This, to me, is a 60% sample of what you can do.. Fritz: Let me try. That’s all I ask, I’ll pull the plug if it’s not there. Annacone: You want to date 17,000 people….
Fritz: It’s better not to go out. Annacone: No, not everything. Totally not. Fritz: I feel like I’m good enough right now to try. Annacone: Against him (Nadal) with this wind? Fritz: Why the hell not?
Fritz challenged Annacone and other members of the team.
Another member of Fritz’s team asked the American: «Would you be willing to walk the court, play 60% and then get diagnosed? You made it worse and now you can’t play for a month or two.» Fritz responded: «We’re wasting time because I need to get another shot if I’m going to play.» As Fritz was on his way to receive another injection, someone was heard saying to Fritz, «Do you know how many of these I’ve rehabbed? I’ve rehabbed 200 of these.
It will make it worse. It will inflame you. You’ll miss at least one event, possibly multiple events.» Annacone then made the last plea to Fritz not to go out and he said, «Everything we’re doing is trying to be in your best interest, you know that.» Fritz responded to your team members for the last time.
«Sorry, I’m stubborn. I know I’m just fighting with you guys. I want to try.» Ultimately, Fritz ended up upsetting Nadal in the Indian Wells final for his first Masters title. Moments after beating Nadal in the most important moment of his career, Fritz went up to his box to hug his team.
As an emotional Fritz hugged Annacone, another member of the team could be heard telling Fritz that he is «a f——warrior». Furthermore, Fritz played again just a week after Indian Wells. In the end, it all worked out for Fritz and Coach Annacone.
