"Unfiltered emotions, exactly what tennis needs" - Tennis world reacts to Taylor Fritz shushing French Open crowd
Taylor Fritz's French Open second-round victory against Arthur Rinderknech was a drama-filled affair, with Fritz and the Court Suzanne Lenglen crowd being hostile towards each other.
The crowd, who came out in force to support home favorite Rinderknech, were visibly upset with the match's late start. The delay occurred because the contest between Jannik Sinner and Daniel Altmaier earlier in the evening took five-and-a-half-hours to finish.
Excitement levels in the stands went up when Rinderknech convincingly won the opening set. Fritz, however, stayed focused and fought back to take the next three sets and seal the win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 50 minutes.
After the grueling contest, Fritz let his frustration with the crowd boil over. He motioned them to 'shush,' which only provoked them further. Fans kept booing the American and refused to stop even when he was waiting to do the on-court interview.
The events from the match soon became a big talking point for everyone following the sport, including current and former tennis pros. Former English professional Mark Petchey, who now works as a tennis analyst, stated that he loved the 'unfiltered emotions' in the contest.
"Exactly what tennis needs. Unfiltered emotions from the fans and players. Taylor Fritz absolutely on point out there tonight," he said.
Exactly what tennis needs. Unfiltered emotions from the fans and players
@Taylor_Fritz97 absolutely on point out there tonight @rolandgarros
Australia's John Millman defended Fritz for his actions and stated that only those who walked in his shoes, i.e. other professional players, would understand his behavior.
"It’s hard to understand unless you’ve walked in his shoes. For the entire match he’d have been trying to hold it together, trying not to give the crowd any more ammo to use. That’s a lot of built up emotion he’s letting out at the end there," he tweeted.
It’s hard to understand unless you’ve walked in his shoes. For the entire match he’d have been trying to hold it together, trying not to give the crowd any more ammo to use. That’s a lot of built up emotion he’s letting out at the end there. twitter.com/gasparlanca/st…
Patrick McEnroe, former captain of the US Davis Cup team and brother of seven-time Grand Slam champion John, praised Fritz for his performance.
"Taylor Fritz Q factor just went up exponentially….well played Taylor Fritz on every level," he tweeted.
Taylor Fritz Q factor just went up exponentially….well played @Taylor_Fritz97 on every level
Here are a few more reactions:
Somewhere Danill Medvedev is crying tears of joy and is so proud twitter.com/gasparlanca/st…
One of the best moments of the week at #RolandGarros so far. It’s been some tournament 🤣 https://t.co/7FY5Zp1mjD
Spectacular shithousery from Taylor Fritz, who guarantees he will get booed for the rest of the tournament - and I am here for it.
#RolandGarros
https://t.co/VyXYxsbQeJ
Well this was a very, very, VERY stupid idea from Fritz. What the well was he expecting when playing the last French standing in the tournament?
I’ll never understand players from a Slam country not being able to hold it together in an hostile atmosphere. https://t.co/nLNXqspGts
TAYLOR FRITZ
Shushing the French crowd after taking out one of their own. Electric https://t.co/k5R51lhnu7
So good.
https://t.co/5BIePyk0JB
Taylor Fritz matches best-ever French Open result, faces Francisco Cerundolo next
Taylor Fritz equaled his best result at the French Open with the 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 second-round win against Arthur Rinderknech. The American's best result in Paris is a third-round appearance in 2020, and he will be hoping to better that this year.
Fritz, who is making his seventh Roland Garros appearance, will face Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. Cerundolo overcame German lucky loser Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in his second-round match,
Fritz and Cerundolo have never met on the tour before; the match on Saturday, June 3 will be the very first one of their rivalry.