Taylor Fritz kicked off his ATP Finals campaign in tremendous style on Sunday, November 10. The American defeated 2020 champion Daniil Medvedev to secure his first win of the tournament. Next, he will face Jannik Sinner in a rematch of this year’s US Open final.
Ahead of his second group-stage match against the World No. 1, Fritz has started playing mind games with the Italian. The US Open finalist has claimed he won’t watch Sinner’s match, as he only watches matches that have already concluded.
I don’t think I’ll watch the match tonight, I don’t watch much tennis actually. I think I’ll only watch it when I already know the final result, to understand 4 ⁄ 5 things about my next opponent. I’m looking forward to facing Sinner: Jannik at the US Open, Alcaraz at the Laver Cup, Djokovic in Shanghai… these are all matches that teach you a lot. I’m happy to have the opportunity to measure myself against him again and see if what I’m doing is going in the right direction. To move forward, I’ll probably have to win one more match. Now my chances of qualifying for the semi-finals have increased, but anything can happen.
Taylor Fritz said in his post-match press conference at the ATP Finals
Sinner will play Alex de Minaur in the night session of the ATP Finals’ opening day. If Sinner wins his night match, his encounter with Fritz could become a key qualifier for the knockout stages. Fritz is competing in his second ATP Finals in 2024. He played in 2022 as an alternate for Carlos Alcaraz, who withdrew from that year’s tournament due to injury.
Jannik Sinner backed to use home advantage at the ATP Finals
Jannik Sinner is expected to use the Italian crowd’s support to his advantage in his quest for the ATP Finals title, according to former World No. 1 Mats Wilander. The Italian fans will likely give him an extra boost as he competes in Turin.
Jannik Sinner is the big favorite. I think it has to do with the fact that this year has been unbelievable. He won the two hard court Grand Slams that we had, and he won another five tournaments. Also, it’s back in Italy. If this happened last year, I think there’d be a lot of pressure on him. But he already showed up last year, beating Novak in the Round Robin, and of course, losing in the final. But he made it to the final, and then he won the Davis Cup.
Mats Wilander said on Eurosport
Many view Sinner as a strong favorite to win his first ATP Finals crown, especially after reaching the final last year. In that 2023 final, he was defeated by Novak Djokovic, but he has gained significant momentum since then.
It’s going to actually make him more relaxed at the same time as more fired up in a way. Sinner goes in with a lot to lose, but I think he’s got way more to win because he’s back in Italy. I think Sinner is going to have the same destiny in terms of playing well. Now, Carlos Alcaraz. How can you ever be considered the favorite when Alcaraz is in the field? But he might not have to play him. Therefore, he’s the favorite.
Mats Wilander added
This year, Sinner has claimed his first two Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and the US Open, achieving the World No. 1 ranking. With seven tour titles and a comfortable lead in the rankings, Sinner is positioned as a major contender as the tournament kicks off on Sunday.
Sinner’s first match in the group stage is against Alex de Minaur, followed by matches with Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz. Wilander told Eurosport that he believes Sinner will handle the home crowd pressure well, comparing him to players like Andy Murray, who thrived in front of home fans.