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.
At the end of the match, some unloaded on Sock and Tiafoe – especially Tiafoe – with some claiming they had “zero class” Fritz, who represented the World Team at the Laver Cup, says that Federer would have hated it if Sock and Tiafoe decided to just hand him the victory in his last match.
“I was quite upset to see the hate Frances and Jack received for winning the match and Frances for hitting Roger or hitting Rafa Nadal into the net. This is not an exhibition. We are playing a lot and for a lot of money.
It bothered me a lot because I know Roger would have absolutely hated if they just gave it to him,” Fritz told The New York Times. Fritz, who was competing against Federer’s European team, admitted that he was touched by Federer’s withdrawal.
“I definitely cried a lot more than I thought I was going to,” Fritz revealed. After helping Team World to their first win 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 is now enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 8. In the future, Fritz wants to reach the ATP Finals and finish the year in the top eight.
READ MORE:Rafael Nadal could break Roger Federer record as latest exhibition match announced
Mannarino comments on Federer
In an interview with our tennis colleagues, Adrian Mannarino talks about his relationship with Roger Federer. He evokes the famous duel at Wimbledon where he had to give up even though he felt that his opponent was not in Olympic form.
“It was a good game from me. I felt comfortable on the court, but I also felt that Roger Federer was definitely not at his best. He was physically exhausted and not moving as well as before. It would have been good if it had been his last game (laughs).
READ MORE:‘I was actually two points away from beating Roger Federer says ATP star
It was terrible to get seriously injured and my whole summer was affected. Besides, I lost the match itself. All of this was on top of my birthday. It’s not a good memory.”
