Taylor Fritz shrugs off injury concerns amid issues during Norrie win: "They made me sprint during the off season and I got really sore"

Taylor Fritz emerged triumphant in his debut at the 2024 United Cup, defeating Cameron Norrie with a score of 7-6, 6-4. Despite requiring a medical timeout during the match, Fritz attributed the interruption to his newly adopted cardiovascular regimen. In a pivotal mixed doubles match alongside Jessica Pegula, Fritz and Pegula clinched victory against Katie Boulter and Neal Skupski with a score of 1-6, 7-6, 10-7.

Facing physical discomfort at various junctures, Fritz showcased resilience to secure the win, leveling the series for the United States against Norrie. Fritz and Pegula are now set to compete in the final series against Australia, vying for a spot in the quarterfinals of this dynamic mixed-nation tournament.

Taylor Fritz acknowledged that his physical issues stem from changes in his off-season training plan: "I don't sprint that often, and they (coaches) made me sprint during the off-season, and I got really sore," he said. "So I got really sore, really tight, and I carried it all the way into today."

The 26-year-old tennis player added that he overexerted himself physically in chasing a dropshot from his opponent, causing him discomfort: "I think I overdid it just running for one of the drop shots and maybe just tightened up, strained something. But we got through it," he said.

Fritz also praised his opponent and expressed happiness with the result: "It was a really tough match obviously. Cam (Norrie) and I have played each other so many times, and it's always a battle, it's always close," Fritz said. "I got pretty lucky at the end of the first set tie-breaker, hit some shots (that) I probably miss more than I make.”

"In the second set, just hung in there with my serve. My serve definitely kept me in it, and then I was able to steal a break," Fritz concluded. The Americans aim to retain the trophy they won in the last United Cup, and Taylor Fritz's next match will be against Alex De Minaur, while Jessica Pegula will face Alja Tomljanovic.