Since the beginning of the 2020 tennis season, endurance and resilience have been on full display in the early rounds of Grand Slam tournaments. Among those who have consistently been pushed to the brink is American player Taylor Fritz. He has engaged in 14 grueling five-set matches in the opening week of major tournaments over this period—just one fewer than Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who leads all players with 15.
This pattern highlights not only their competitive spirit but also their tendency to get tangled in long, hard-fought battles early in the draw. Such matches often reflect a combination of gritty determination, tough matchups, and at times, uneven form that leads to rollercoaster scorelines. While some players breeze through their early rounds, Fritz and Davidovich Fokina have routinely found themselves engaged in physical and mental marathons before even reaching the business end of the tournament.
These early-round epics have become a notable aspect of their Grand Slam narratives. For Fritz, they offer a glimpse into a player still evolving on the biggest stage—capable of brilliance, but often tested to the limit. For Davidovich Fokina, they underscore his unpredictable and electrifying style, often walking the fine line between genius and chaos.
Their persistence through these draining encounters speaks volumes about their mental fortitude. As the tennis landscape continues to evolve with a new generation of contenders, both players have carved out a distinct reputation for keeping fans on the edge of their seats from the very start of a Slam.
Taylor Fritz in 2025
At the moment ranked no.5, Fritz played his last match on the 1st of January 1970 when he beat world no.101 Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-1 in the final in Eastbourne to win his 5th challenger.
Currently, during this year the American has achieved an overall 25-11 match record. Fritz conquered 3 titles in 2025 in Australia, Stuttgart and Eastbourne.