Q&A With Junior Standout: Taylor Harry Fritz

Taylor Harry Fritz is one of America's top prospects to watch in 2015.  The 17 year old Californian is coached by his former pro dad, Guy Fritz.  His mom, Kathy May Fritz, is a former WTA Top 10 player.  2014 is a break out year in the juniors for Taylor, who has ended the season at No.6 on the ITF Junior Ranking.  Continue reading to learn more about Taylor including his game, favorite surface, and plans for the new season.

Taylor Fritz in semifinal action at Junior Wimbledon

Questions and Answers

Can you tell us a little bit about your game style?

My game style can change around, depending on my opponent, but ideally I like to be as aggressive as possible when I get the chance.

Favorite shot? Part of the game you look to improve upon?

Favorite shot would be my serve or forehand.  Shot I need to improve the most is backhand volley or backhand slice.

If you can hit with any player, who would it be and why?

It would be Federer because he is the greatest to ever play and it would just be great to be on the court with someone like that.

Do you have a special pre-match routine?

I don't really have any routines I do before a match.  I usually just hang out and stay loose.

Favorite surface?

Grass

You qualified for a grass event at the G1 Roehampton and advanced to the semifinals, and a week later reached the semis of Junior Wimbledon. Not many juniors get a chance to play on this surface, how was the experience?

I was not in qualifying of Roehampton, I was directly in, but grass is such a fun surface to play on especially with my game style.  I really enjoyed the opportunity to play at such important tournaments and those two weeks may have been my favorite of the year.

Oops, Taylor was right about Roehampton direct entry.  Sorry about that, most of the information were off the top of my head when I wrote the questions.

You won several big junior doubles titles in 2014 including the Abierto Juvenil Mexicano (w/ Andrey Rublev) and Pan American ITF (w/ Michael Mmoh). What’s your key to success? Partner for upcoming Junior Australian Open?

To be honest, I do not consider myself a very good doubles player.  I think my key to success is to find a really good partner who can just carry you through the tournament. And I'll be playing with Mmoh again in Australia.

Your parents are former pros, did their experience help you in any way?

Yes, both of my parents being former pros has helped me incredibly.  They both have so much knowledge on the game.  I wouldn't be where I am without them.

What are the biggest differences between juniors and pros?

I think the biggest differences between juniors and pros are the physical condition everyone is in and the pros are much mentally tougher.

All young players start out at the ITF level and playing futures is not always fun. If you can change one thing about these tournaments, what would it be?

It would be nice if there was hospitality for main draw players like on the Junior Circuit.

Tennis goals?

My dream in tennis is like everyone else's, to be #1 in the world, but taking it one step at a time.  First, I would just want to make a living from tennis that I can support myself with.

Funniest player on tour?

I assume you mean junior tour because those are the guys I know best.  I'm not sure, there are a lot of really funny guys.  I would have to say it is between Reilly [Opelka], Francis [Tiafoe], Tommy [Paul], Nathan [Ponwith], and Deiton [Baughman].  They are all hilarious guys.

 

Help Taylor decide who is the funniest player?

Last book you read?

No clue, haven't read a book in years.

Your 5 top songs?

Don't really have a top five.  I don't listen to music that much besides the radio.

Goals & travel plans for 2015?

2015, I am planning on playing the junior slams and maybe a grade A or two somewhere in there. Possibly, Carson and Easter Bowl because I live right next to both of those tournaments.  Besides those, I want to play as many futures and other pro tournaments as possible.  Goals this year are mainly to do well at the futures and would like to be top four or five hundred in ATP and do well in the junior slams.


Thanks to Taylor for doing the Q&A and good luck in 2015.  Happy New Year!