Taylor Fritz’s 2025 season began on a rocky note after his meteoric rise to the spotlight at the US Open last year. Following a disappointing third-round exit at the AO, Fritz struggled to find his rhythm, suffering early exits in Dallas and Indian Wells, a quarterfinal stumble in Delray Beach, and a heartbreaking semifinal loss in Miami. However, the clay-court season has sparked a new beginning as Fritz has made it to the Round of 16 with two back-to-back solid wins over Christopher O’Connell and Benjamin Bonzi. The win against Bonzi marked a major milestone as it was Fritz’s 300th tour-level win. In a moment of reflection on this huge occasion, the American No. 1 has recalled his most memorable matches on the Tour so far. Any guesses which electrifying battles he can never forget?

With his Madrid Open victory over France’s Benjamin Bonzi, Taylor Fritz etched his name in the history books, becoming the first American man born in the 1990s to notch 300 career tour-level wins, a milestone that highlights his remarkable consistency and endurance. His 6-4, 7-5 triumph, sealed after Bonzi’s retirement because of a leg injury, also places Fritz among an elite group of US players born after 1980 to achieve the feat. The 27-year-old now stands in the league of legends like Andy Roddick (612 wins), John Isner (489), Sam Querrey (385), and Mardy Fish (302).

Fritz’s road to 300 has been a masterclass in perseverance. From bursting onto the scene as a teenage prodigy to navigating early-career turbulence, he has evolved into America’s leading force in men’s tennis. Right after the match against Bonzi, he reflected on his journey by sharing three standout matches that defined his ATP career.

“I would say maybe the first title in Eastbourne, the most recent US Open Semifinal, and I might say the Indian Wells final, we can say that,” Fritz said when asked about his career highlights.

Taylor Fritz’s first ATP Tour singles title came at the 2019 Eastbourne International, where he claimed the grass-court crown and announced himself as a player to watch. Fast forward to 2024, and the American still dominated Eastbourne, defeating Max Purcell 6-4, 6-3 to lift the Rothesay International trophy for the third time.

But one of Fritz’s most stirring battles unfolded at the 2024 US Open. In a historic all-American SF against close friend Frances Tiafoe, the first of its kind in 19 years, Fritz clawed back from two sets down to win 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, punching his ticket to the final. “He was overwhelming me from the baseline. I just told myself to stay in and fight,” Fritz reflected after the SF against Tiafoe, highlighting his unyielding spirit.

Another crown jewel in his career came at the 2022 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Battling brutal winds and a foot injury, Fritz stunned the Spanish icon Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5) to win his first Masters 1000 title, becoming the first American man since Andre Agassi in 2001 to triumph at Indian Wells, a breakthrough that marked a new era for American tennis.

Now in Madrid, as he moved past Benjamin Bonzi to reach the R16, Fritz shared insights into his recent struggles and resilience. The World No. 4 revealed what he told his coach during practice.

“I’m super happy,” Taylor Fritz opens up after bouncing back in Madrid

After an early stumble at the AO, where he fell to the evergreen Gael Monfils, Taylor Fritz’s withdrawal from Acapulco because of fitness concerns sent alarm bells ringing. Yet, true to his fighting spirit, the American rebounded at Indian Wells, making a deep run that reignited his season, followed by an impressive semifinal surge in Miami, the best Sunshine Double performance of his career so far.

However, just when the momentum seemed to shift in his favor, adversity returned. An abdominal injury forced the 27-year-old out of Monte Carlo, derailing his clay-court preparations. But Fritz made a defiant comeback at the Madrid Open, brushing aside Christopher O’Connell in his opening match. Later, in a candid post-match reflection, he spoke about the mental and physical battles he endured, emphasizing a fierce desire to not just return but to dominate once again. 

“It feels great to come back and play a really solid match. I didn’t want to jinx it before the match, but I was telling my coach that I was really impressed with how my level has been in practice the last couple of days. The first ball I hit since the match I lost in Miami was the day before I flew here, so I had three weeks of nothing, then five days of tennis. I’m super happy I can come out and produce that level on the little bit of prep I had,” he said.

Now, standing across the net to Fritz tomorrow will be Norway’s Casper Ruud, a proven clay-court specialist. Given Fritz’s surging form, this clash promises fireworks. Who are you backing to win?