Taylor Fritz said he was «pretty upset» after seeing the backlash Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe received for beating Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup. In what was Federer’s last match, Sock and Tiafoe outscored Federer and Nadal 4-6 7-6(2) 11-9.
After the match was over, some unloaded on Sock and Tiafoe, especially Tiafoe, with some claiming they were «class zero». Fritz, who represented Team World at the Laver Cup, says that Federer would have hated it if Sock and Tiafoe decided to give him the win in his last match.
“I was quite upset to see how much hate Frances and Jack got for winning the match and Frances for hitting Roger or hitting Rafa into the net. This is not an exhibition. We are playing for a lot and for a lot of money.
It really upset me because I know Roger would have absolutely hated it if it had been given to him,” Fritz told The New York Times.
Fritz on Federer’s emotional farewell
Fritz, who was competing against Federer’s European Team, admitted that he was excited about Federer’s retirement.
«I definitely cried a lot more than I thought I was going to,» Fritz revealed. After helping Team World to its first victory over Team Europe in the Laver Cup, Fritz went all the way at last week’s Japan Open in Tokyo.
After winning the ATP 500 event in Tokyo, Fritz broke into the top 10 for the first time in his career as he now enjoys a career-high ranking of No. 8. In the future, Fritz wants to reach the ATP Finals and finish the year ranked inside the top-8.
“Obviously in the short term [my goal] It is Turin. Finishing in the top 8, that’s next for sure and that’s short term, it will be decided in a month and a half,» Fritz said.
