Meet Fritz... he is Taylor-made for super-stardom

HE IS the youngest male player to gain direct entry into Wimbledon this year and, one day soon, a great many more people will know the name Taylor Fritz.

The 18-year-old Californian has the mixed blessing of being anointed America’s next big thing in tennis, his obvious talent supplemented by a remarkably mature demeanour and matinee idol looks.

But, while he may already be melting a few hearts around the tour, some early admirers will be disappointed to know that in Paris last month he got engaged to long-time girlfriend Raquel Pedraza, proposing to her under the Eiffel Tower.

The reason Fritz has already garnered so much attention within the tennis world is that earlier this year he became the second fastest American to reach a final on the main tour.

The Memphis Open in February was just his third event in the big league, and although he has played only half a season at the highest level, he has quickly risen to 63 in the rankings. His firstround opponent here will be fourth seed Stan Wawrinka. Fritz’s swift ascent is all the more remarkable because he continued a normal education in high school until he was 16. He is no hothoused prodigy despite a background steeped in the game. His mother Kathy May is a former top-10 player who reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1977. She was always keen that Taylor should develop at his own pace and never pushed him to flog around the junior circuit at a young age. ‘I’ve actually had a more balanced life than most young players on the tour,’ says Fritz, whose deep baritone voice is just one aspect that makes it hard to believe he is not well into his twenties. ‘Until I was 16 I was in high school and on the basketball team and I hardly played international events, just travelled to tournaments in California at the weekends. I was brought up to play a lot of different sports and I’ve sort of dropped one every year since I was 10.’ However, after a frenetic life since leaving school that saw him become world junior champion, he does not claim to be like any normal teenager.

That is related to his decision to settle down with Raquel, a former junior player herself. They will marry in San Diego not long after Wimbledon.

‘I know I’m 18 and my fiancée is 18, but we aren’t regular 18-year-olds.

‘When you travel the world playing professional tennis, it wouldn’t be fair to compare me to someone else of my age,’ says Fritz, a Manchester United fan who watches their matches wherever he is in the world.

‘I’ve experienced a lot more and maybe matured a bit quicker because of the life I have led.’

It certainly comes across that way and he will need all the calm self-assurance he possesses to cope with the expectation, in a country that craves a major player in the men’s game after so long.

‘Lately a lot has shifted on to me and I understand it’s important for American tennis, but I don’t really care too much about that. I’m playing for me, not for any other reason.

‘It’s really different to be here in the main draw. You get the full experience of Wimbledon. When you are in the juniors it’s just half an experience. So it’s very exciting, but my first job is to properly establish myself as a professional player on the main tour.’

Taylor Fritz is wearing a Topman suit, the shirt is from Reiss, the shoes are from M&S.