Taylor Fritz Thinking of Skipping Clay Swing Amid Injury Woes

Taylor Fritz has never won a title on the clay swing, reaching the final just once.

Taylor Fritz Thinking of Skipping Clay Swing Amid Injury Woes

Taylor Fritz (Image via X/Quindici Zero)

In Short
  • Taylor Fritz is considering skipping the clay court season to recover from a knee injury.
  • He has experienced early exits in recent tournaments, including the Delray Beach Open and Indian Wells.
  • Fritz leads the ATP Tour in aces this season, hitting 286 in 17 matches.

Another disappointing campaign could finally see Taylor Fritz take a much-needed break to nurse his knee injury. The American is in Miami for the second ATP Masters of the season.

In the two previous home events, at the Delray Beach Open and Indian Wells, the 28-year-old suffered early exits, losing to Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals and to Alex Michelsen in the third round, respectively.

Fritz blamed the shorter off-season for not recovering completely before the 2026 season and continued to play through injuries. But as hard-court season will end after the conclusion of the Miami Open, Fritz wouldn’t mind much skipping the European Clay swing.

This is the turning point. We said that, after Miami, if we don’t see major improvements, maybe it’s time to just slow down a bit and let him fully recover. Because if there’s one part of the season I think I wouldn’t mind missing, it would be the clay court season, like what happened to me last year.

Taylor Fritz said at the pre-tournament press conference in Miami

Fritz has never won a title on the red dirt but has played one final. He lost to Jan-Lennard Struff at the 2024 Munich Open. The French Open is the only Grand Slam event where Fritz has never reached the quarterfinals, progressing to the fourth round just once, in 2024.

In the three Masters 1000s on clay, Fritz reached the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters in 2023 and the semifinals of the Madrid Open the following year. He has so far played one quarterfinal at the Italian Open.

I’m still taking care of my knee. Some days it’s better than others, and I don’t know exactly why. In Dallas, for example, I felt great, and it didn’t bother me at all during the entire tournament. I felt like I was moving really well. But then, in the lead-up to Indian Wells, it wasn’t like that. I felt like I almost took a step backward. The same thing happened to me in Australia.

Taylor Fritz added

In the Dallas Open, he reached the final and lost a three-setter to compatriot Ben Shelton. The main draw of the Miami Open started on March 17. Fritz, the sixth seed, will kick-start his campaign against Denis Shapovalov or Botic van de Zandschulp.

Taylor Fritz will rely on his serve for the Miami Open

Fritz stands on top when it comes to the most aces hit on the ATP Tour this season. He has smashed 286 aces in 17 matches. Last year as well, he finished on top, hitting 867 in 74 events. Fritz has been relying heavily on his strong serves in tough moments.

Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz (Image via X/Game, Set & Talk)

I do feel like, so far this year and toward the end of last year, I’m serving probably the best I’ve probably ever served in my career. I still feel like that’s the case, I just need to make sure my body is healthy. When it feels 100 percent, then I also feel like I can move really well. I think that’s something I maybe didn’t feel like I was doing great at Indian Wells.

Taylor Fritz said at the pre-tournament press conference in Miami

Fritz has won just one Big Title in his career. He lifted the 2022 Indian Wells by defeating Rafael Nadal. At the Miami Open, the 2024 US Open finalist has advanced to the semifinals just once, reaching that stage last year and losing to eventual champion Jakub Mensik.

Last year, Fritz reached three finals. He won the Stuttgart Open and his fourth Eastbourne International title. Later at the Japan Open, he lost the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz.

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