Taylor
Fritz withdrew from the 2023
Paris Masters and moves away from qualifying for
the ATP Finals.
The World
No. 10 will not be able to continue participating in the last Masters 1000 of
the year in Paris-Bercy, after withdrawing due to an abdominal injury. The
26-year-old Fritz successfully passed the first round with a victory over
Sebastián Báez by 6-1, 6-4, although he faced physical problems during the
match.
The North
American received medical treatment for his abdomen in the middle of the second
set, but it didn't prevent him from finishing the match.
“It’s
something that’s been bothering me for a little bit... I didn’t think it was
anything too bad going in [to this match], but one where I slid out and sliced
that forehand, I felt like I did something that I had never done to it
before,"
"Like
maybe I tore something or pulled it. So I’m going to have to get it checked out
and see what’s going on.”
Unfortunately
for Fritz, he won't be able to play the second round, and his opponent, Daniel
Altmaier, will advance directly to the third round. The severity of the injury
is still unknown, but the North American shared his frustration with his fans.
"Devastated
to have to pull out with so much on the line,"
“All I
wanted was the chance to fight for my potential Turin spot but after getting
scans today on my oblique it’s just not possible for me to play. Time to rehab
and hope to be back on court as soon as I can be "
Now, the
last spot in the ATP Finals would go to Holger Rune, who is 190 points ahead of
Fritz. The American is registered to play at the ATP 250 Sofia Open next week,
and his only chance of making it to Turin would be to win the tournament there
and hope that Rune loses his next match against Dominic Thiem. In addition,
Hubert Hurkacz and Casper Ruud are also in close contention, and if they
advance a couple of rounds in Paris, they could secure their spots.
