(Video) Taylor Fritz Smashes Stunning Behind-the-Back Shot During Dallas Open

Taylor Fritz has improved his head-to-head record over Marcos Giron to 6-2 after defeating him in the Dallas Open opening round.

(Video) Taylor Fritz Smashes Stunning Behind-the-Back Shot During Dallas Open

Taylor Fritz hit a behind-the-back shot (Image via X/Advantage Tennis, Tennis Channel)

In Short
  • Taylor Fritz won his opening match against Marcos Giron at the Dallas Open with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(1).
  • He executed a remarkable behind-the-back shot during the match, which has been highlighted as a potential shot-of-the-year contender.
  • Fritz expressed interest in coaching and player development after his retirement from tennis.

Taylor Fritz met Marcos Giron in the opening round of the Dallas Open, in what was also his first match since his defeat to Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round of the Australian Open. Fritz survived a scare against Giron but eventually clinched a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(1) win over his compatriot on Tuesday (February 10).

The win helped Fritz take a 6-2 head-to-head lead over the 32-year-old. He also improved his win-loss record over players ranked outside to 17-1 since June last year.

I know it sounds crazy, because I didn’t break serve, but I think that whole third set is the best set of tennis I’ve returned. From a returning serve standpoint, that’s the best returning set I’ve played in years, I think.

Taylor Fritz said during his on-court interview

During the opening set, Fritz even hit a stunning behind-the-back shot, which can win the shot-of-the-year. During a rally, Fritz sent the ball toward the net cross-court, and Giron came in time to return it. But the ball appeared to have touched the net chord, and Fritz reacted quickly and was successful in sending the ball from behind the back.

Watch the video here:

The shot I hit is cool, but it’s honestly not that hard to hit. It was good. It was one of those where it was actually the only option I had, because I was moving, my momentum, I was fully lunging to the down-the-line pass, and then, off balance, it was kind of all I had. But yeah, it was a fun one.

Taylor Fritz added

Fritz, also the top seed for the fourth time in the tournament, has scheduled his next match against another fellow American, Brandon Nakashima, who knocked out Mattia Bellucci in straight sets.

Taylor Fritz wants to become a head of player development after his retirement

During his latest Twitch stream, Taylor Fritz revealed what he would do after his retirement from tennis. Fritz can’t see himself becoming a commentator, but he is interested in coaching.

Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz (Image via X/Jose Morgado)

But I don’t know if I’d be an amazing commentator, because the way I like to talk about tennis is really, really in depth, and I think if you’re not almost a high-level tennis player or a professional tennis player, I think a lot of the things I say would just sound like gibberish.

Fritz is one of the best players on the tour right now. He reached his career-best No.4 ranking in 2024. That year, he reached his career’s first Grand Slam final at the US Open but failed to end the American men’s Major drought, losing to four-time Grand Slam champion Jannik Sinner in straight sets. He also made the title clash of the ATP Finals, but Sinner once again denied him the win.

I could see myself coaching at some point. I think I want to. But it’s going to be a while, because when I retire, I’ll want to chill for a bit. I’d love to be like the head of player development at one of the facilities here in the US. I think I know exactly what it takes, the structure, and everything we would need to produce high-quality players.

Taylor Fritz added

So far in his career, Fritz has won 10 titles, including one Big Title- at the 2022 Indian Wells against Rafael Nadal. Fritz started his campaign for the 2026 season at the United Cup, where Team USA failed to defend its title, losing to eventual champion Poland. Last year, Fritz reached three finals, winning two grass-court titles at the Stuttgart Open and the Eastbourne International, and losing the Japan Open to Carlos Alcaraz.

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