"I don’t know if I could have taken another loss in a final" - Taylor Fritz buckles final trend with silverware to end 2026 campaign with a bang

Taylor Fritz has not been great in ATP finals this year. Before today, he had won just one from five final attempts in 2026. He is back in the winning enclosure after defeating Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3) at the Stockholm Open.

The American No.2 will end the year in the top 10 thanks to this run. He was dominant in the opening set, but a missed break point in the second opened the door for Tirante to force a decider. 12 holds of serve later, a tiebreak was called upon. The former US Open finalist went up another gear and got over the line.

Fritz was quick to give praise to the defeated finalist. "First of all, huge credit to Tirante. He has an incredible serve, a fantastic forehand, and he was really good defensively today. He did a great job,” he told SpilXperten.

“It really means a lot to win the title because I’ve had so many losses in finals this season. I don’t know if I could have taken another loss in a final. I really needed to win today. I basically had no ten."

Fritz's season has been disrupted by injury, specifically in his knee. However, he is fit and fresh with a positive end to the season highlighted by the recent title triumph in Sweden has given him a huge boost with the excitiement towards 2027 skyrocketing.

“I have a lot of confidence heading into next season, and I’m looking forward to the off-season before starting my pre-season preparations. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a pre-season. In all the other years, I’ve been dealing with some kind of injury and haven’t really been able to prepare the way I wanted to.”

He delved into a bit more detail in these injury concerns. “Basically, I’m feeling really good now. My knee is doing relatively well," he explained. "At least it’s good enough for me to train and play properly. Every now and then it still hurts, as it did during the match against Carlos Alcaraz, and I can also feel it after a long tournament like this one, but it’s not too bad. As a tennis player, you’re almost never at 100%.

“All the scans look good, and my tendon is growing back together. I basically had no tendon left in that area before, so I’m really excited about next season.”

As for Tirante, it was a frustrating end to a positive tournament. A first-ever ATP final, he only dropped one set en route to this climax match but was unable to convert that into title success.

“I was close to winning, but Taylor Fritz’s experience was probably decisive," he said. "He has played more than 20 finals in his career, which probably ultimately earned him the title today.”

“I can be proud of myself. I really fought hard, but in the end it wasn’t enough. I just have to say congratulations to Taylor on winning the title here.”

There is a sense of frustration surrounding the Argentine, but once his head clears he understands that there will be many encouraging signs. “Right now, of course, I’m frustrated. I’m also tired because it’s been a tough week and a long season. I just have to remind myself that I’ve done well, because I really have, and now I’m looking ahead to next season. Overall, I’m happy because I’ve achieved more in 2026 than I expected.

“I have a lot to learn, and next season I would obviously like to play even more big matches. I started the year outside the top 100 and will finish inside the top 50, which also means I’ll get to play even more big matches at major tournaments next season, where I want to improve even further.”