Taylor Fritz Echoes Alcaraz’s Scheduling Concerns Ahead of US Open
Carlos Alcaraz didn’t hold back at the Laver Cup last year when he took a direct shot at the ATP calendar: “Probably during the next few years, it’s going to be even more mandatory tournaments. Probably they are gonna kill us in some way.” And fast-forward to this season, his brutally honest words echo louder than ever. Ahead of the North American hard-court grind, Alcaraz, along with Jannik Sinner and even Novak Djokovic, skipped the Toronto Masters 1000, sending shockwaves through the tennis world. Now, with the US Open breathing down the necks of ATP stars, Taylor Fritz joins the chorus, echoing Alcaraz’s concerns as a bizarre rule twist fuels pre-Slam anxiety.
Just a week ago, Carlos Alcaraz made headlines by withdrawing from the Toronto Masters, citing recovery after his grueling Wimbledon final against Jannik Sinner. “Toronto comes just too soon for me,” Alcaraz admitted, having fallen just short of a third consecutive All England Club crown on July 13. Fellow stars quickly echoed his absence. Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Jack Draper, ranked World No. 5, also pulled out; Draper is sidelined with an arm injury.
Now, with the Toronto Open kicking off, Taylor Fritz gears up for his opener tomorrow. But before he swings a racket, he’s already raising red flags, echoing Alcaraz’s scheduling worries, especially as a bizarre rule twist adds tension right before the US Open storm.
When asked how he felt about fellow top seeds skipping the event after Wimbledon, Fritz said at the pre-tournament press conference: “Yeah, I mean, this is a tough part of the year because there’s not really any weeks that make sense to take off,” highlighting the challenge players face during this congested season.
Just days earlier, Fritz had played at the Citi Open in Washington, where his quarterfinal exit wasn’t the only story. Venus Williams’ return to the courts after 16 months was a notable feature. Fritz, who had a busy grass season, admitted he might have skipped the tournament if it weren’t for a new ATP rule. “So why did he push his body through the wear and tear? The reason, he revealed, wasn’t about ranking points or fanfare; it was because of a rule. A rule he finds downright unfair. “But there’s a new rule; you have to play a certain amount of 500 events or you get a zero on your record,” Fritz said.
Despite battling an abdominal injury since February, Fritz had to play in DC to meet the ATP’s requirements. He explained, “And because I was injured early in the year, I missed 2 500 [events]. So, I actually had to play DC in order to give myself a chance to meet my like 500 quota for the year. So, I’m going to be honest. I don’t think that’s the best rule because I was injured early this year and I felt like I really could have used a rest week.”
The calendar has been tough for many, especially those with injuries. Fritz also commented on how some players prioritize the US Open over early hard-court tournaments: “I think a lot of the guys are obviously prioritizing US Open and they don’t want to, you know, come out here, play this, play Cincy, be in the, you know, be burned out for the [US] Open,” he said.
Looking ahead to the US Open, Fritz is among the American contenders. His record in New York (16-9) shows resilience, despite losing in last year’s final to Sinner. With top seeds like Djokovic and Alcaraz out and a rare opportunity now present, Fritz is eager to capitalize on his current momentum as he prepares to face Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena in Toronto tomorrow.