Taylor Fritz secured a dramatic second-round victory at the Paris Masters by defeating Benjamin Bonzi 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, but the win masked a significant physical battle. The American star, who entered the match trailing a set after a medical timeout, refused to let his condition dictate the outcome on the clay. Despite the setback in the opening frame, Fritz displayed remarkable resilience, flipping the momentum to claim the next two sets and advance in the French capital.
World No. 1 reveals physical struggle behind Paris Masters comeback against Benjamin Bonzi
The medical timeout at the end of the first set prompted post-match scrutiny regarding Fritz’s fitness. The 25-year-old revealed he has been managing a persistent physical issue dating back to his run at the Lyon Open in late October. During that tournament, Fritz reached the final before falling to Lorenzo Musetti, who claimed his first ATP Tour title since 2022. Fritz indicated that the lingering effects of that period have made serving a source of anxiety, describing himself as “scared to serve” due to the discomfort.
This admission highlights the fragility of top-tier athletes during the grueling end-of-season stretch. While Fritz’s tactical adjustments allowed him to overcome Bonzi, the underlying physical constraint poses a challenge for his upcoming matches. Fans and analysts will now closely monitor his serve mechanics and recovery protocols, as the ability to maintain consistency under physical duress will be critical for his deep run in Paris.
Source: Yahoo Sports
