Number one seed Taylor Fritz withdraws from Eastbourne Open as draw blown wide open

The Eastbourne Open has just been blown wide open after the number one seed Taylor Fritz has decided to withdraw just before taking to the court later against Jan Choinski.

The four-time champion was looking to make it a quintuple of titles on the Sussex coast but following a warm-up match ahead of him entering the fray, he made the hard decision not to risk it with bigger tournaments over the horizon.

Felix Gill is the lucky loser set to get a bye to the round-of-16 like Fritz was supposed to also get, now set to take on Choinski in an all-British contest on home soil.

Fritz shared the news via social media. "Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from Eastbourne this year," he wrote. "I waited up until after the match warmup to make the decision today because I really did want to play. This is never an easy decision for me, especially when it involves a tournament that means so much to me. Anyone who knows me knows I hate withdrawing from events.

"Eastbourne has given me some of my favourite memories on court, and the support I’ve received from the fans over the years has been incredible. That’s what makes this so difficult, but with Wimbledon just around the corner, I have to make the decision that gives me the best chance of being 100% and ready to compete at my best.

"While I know it’s the right call, it doesn’t make it any less disappointing. I’m very sorry to the fans, the tournament, and everyone who was looking forward to seeing me play. Thank you to Eastbourne for always making me feel so welcome, and I hope to be back on these courts again soon."

Fritz has had a bit of a tumultuous 2026. Early exits were marred by injuries in the opening few months before a severely hampered clay swing subsided at the right time. Grass is a heavily favoured surface for the American, suiting his aggressive baseline style and huge serving.

He reached the final of the Stuttgart Open and Halle Open, losing out to a brace of Americans going by Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.

He was set to play a full grass swing which involved coming to defend his Eastbourne title after he defeated Jenson Brooksby last year. However, this is not going to be the case. With a Wimbledon semi-final set to be defended at SW19, his priorities lay elsewhere with the third Grand Slam of the year set to be competed.

As for Eastbourne, it is anyone's game. Fritz was the overwhelming favourite due to his past success and achievements on the surface. As the round-of-16 gets played out, only three seeds remain: Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Ugo Humbert and Juan Manuel Cerundolo. This could also open the door for Jack Draper to lead a charge to glory.

There is still a lot of tennis to be played on the Sussex coast with the ATP 250 title there for the taking for anyone who steps up.