“Catch you guys on the flip side,” Taylor Fritz’s model girlfriend Morgan Riddle opens up about facing social media issues in China ahead of Shanghai Masters

Chinese regulations block access to foreign internet tools within China's jurisdiction. 

“Catch you guys on the flip side,” Taylor Fritz’s model girlfriend Morgan Riddle opens up about facing social media issues in China ahead of Shanghai Masters

Morgan Riddle and Taylor Fritz(Image via nytimes.com)

World no.8 Taylor Fritz is set to begin his Asian hard-court swing at the Shanghai Masters, starting 4th October. Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend – Morgan Riddle, who regularly accompanies him on the tour, revealed on social media that she would join him for the ATP 1000 tournament in Shanghai.

But, the 26-year-old fashion influencer shared one particular challenge she’d face on the China trip. Speaking about the ‘Great Firewall’ enforced by the Chinese communist party, she shared an Instagram story captioned, ” Off to China!!! I downloaded all esim/vpn possibilities since no social media (IG, Google, YouTube, tiktok) is allowed in China. The only thing I’m worried about is upload speeds and connecting my laptop to a VPN to upload on YouTube so gonna cross my fingers I can upload via a hotspot. If I get absolutely fcked, catch you guys on the flip side hehe.”

YouTube video

Morgan runs her own YouTube channel, where she shares regular updates on her life on tour. The internet in China is regulated in such a way that it blocks access to selected foreign websites and slows down cross-border internet traffic. 

The effect includes limiting access to foreign information sources, blocking foreign internet tools, e.g., Google Search, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, Instagram, and YouTube, and mobile apps, and requiring foreign companies to adapt to domestic regulations.

morgan riddle insta story
Morgan Riddle’s Instagram Story (Ig: @moorrgs)

This has given rise to China’s own tech giants including Tencent, Alibaba, and WeChat. Using a VPN helps escape the firewall and is often used to browse the free internet.

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Taylor Fritz’s 2023 season so far

Fritz started the season on a high note as he won the United Cup with Team USA, defeating Italy in the final. Disappointment followed as the 25-year-old was knocked out of the Australian Open in the second round. At the 2023 Dallas Open, he reached the semifinals, where he lost to eventual champion Wu Yibing. As a result, he reached a new career-high ranking of world No. 7, becoming the highest-ranked American since Mardy Fish in 2011.

Taylor Fritz (Credit : AP Photos)

He won the 2023 Delray Beach Open to lift his fifth ATP Tour title. As a result, he moved to No. 5 in the rankings on February 27, 2023. In Indian Wells and in Miami, he reached back-to-back quarterfinals. He became the first American in 20 years to reach the semifinals at Monte Carlo, defeating the two-time defending champion and second seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas. He won his sixth title at the 2023 Atlanta Open, defeating Aleksandar Vukic.

At the US Open, he reached the quarterfinals for the first time at this Major but lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. The big-serving American joined Team World at the Laver Cup, helping them defend their title in emphatic fashion.

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