Taylor Fritz is gearing up for a high-stakes clash with Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals, drawing confidence from one of the few occasions he managed to disrupt the Spaniard’s rhythm. That moment came at the 2025 Laver Cup, where Fritz delivered a commanding 6–3, 6–2 win in just over an hour.

Drawing from Laver Cup success

As Fritz prepares to face the world No. 1 in Turin, he’s looking to replicate the aggressive tactics that worked so well in Vancouver.

“At Laver Cup, I was able to beat him to the punch,” Fritz said. “I played extremely aggressively there and took control of a lot of points. That’s the kind of tennis I need to play again.”

That match remains his only win in five meetings with Alcaraz. The Spaniard has since claimed victories in Tokyo and at the Six Kings Slam exhibition, using his signature drop shots and early ball striking to dominate.

The challenge of facing Alcaraz

Fritz acknowledged the difficulty of facing Alcaraz, especially when the Spaniard dictates play from the start.

“He’s been pretty successful doing that the last couple of matches,” Fritz admitted. “So I’m going to have to serve really well. If I do that, no matter how the rest of the match is going, I can keep myself in it.”

Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 4–1, and his ability to neutralize Fritz’s power has been a key factor in those wins.

Serve as the deciding factor

Fritz’s serve remains his biggest weapon. According to Tennis Data Innovations Insights, he holds an 8.8 serve quality rating, compared to Alcaraz’s 7.8. However, Alcaraz’s 38% steal score—measuring his ability to win points from defensive positions—is among the best on tour.

Fritz prefers to rely on feel rather than numbers.

“I don’t look at the stats, but I’m keeping track of that stuff mentally during the match,” he said. “I usually know my first-serve percentage and how I’m doing out there. It’s more about rhythm than data.”

Conditions favor Fritz’s style

The fast indoor courts in Turin suit Fritz’s flat, aggressive game. He reached the final here in 2024 and believes that playing on his terms is the key to success.

“I returned really well today,” Fritz said after his opening win over Lorenzo Musetti. “If I can return aggressively, play on my terms, and beat him to the punch sometimes, I like my chances.”

Should he fall short against Alcaraz, Fritz will still have a chance to reach the semifinals with a win over Alex de Minaur later in the week. But for now, all eyes are on Tuesday’s showdown and whether Fritz can once again disrupt the rhythm of one of the game’s most dynamic players.