In a surprising turn of events at the United Cup, injured world No. 6 Taylor Fritz suffered a three-set defeat to Sebastian Baez of Argentina. The match, which took place in Perth on January 6, 2024, raised concerns about Fritz’s fitness as he prepares for the upcoming Australian Open.
Fritz’s loss was a stark contrast to the performance of world No. 3 Coco Gauff, who delivered a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Solana Sierra. Gauff’s win kept the United States in contention during the tie, which will now hinge on the mixed doubles match.
Despite starting strong, Fritz’s match took a turn when he lost momentum after winning the first set and leading 2-0 in the second. Baez, ranked No. 45, demonstrated resilience and determination, turning the tide to secure a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory after two hours and 33 minutes. Following the match, Fritz’s frustrations boiled over as he snapped his racquet over his thigh, a reaction that highlighted the mental toll of the defeat.
After shaking hands with Baez, Fritz showed a moment of sportsmanship by giving his broken racquet to a young fan in the crowd before exiting the court. In the lead-up to the United Cup, Fritz disclosed that he has been dealing with “pretty serious tendonitis” affecting his knee, a condition that has persisted since late last year.
Fritz acknowledged the challenges ahead as he looks toward the Australian Open, stating, “I spent the majority—pretty much the entirety—of the off season trying to rehab my knee tendinopathy. But that’s a thing that takes months and months to get better.” He emphasized the difficulty of balancing his recovery with the need to gain match experience, adding, “It’s just going to be a struggle trying to get the reps in and get the points and matches in to start feeling like I’m comfortable while juggling that with still managing my knee pain.”
With the Australian Open on the horizon, Fritz faces the prospect of taking time off if his condition does not improve in the coming months. “I’m going to try to play through and keep doing the rehab while traveling,” he explained, “But if that doesn’t work in a couple of months, then I am going to just have to full stop and fix it.”
Baez’s victory was particularly significant, marking his first win against Fritz after suffering five previous defeats. “Wow, I’m so happy right now,” Baez expressed after the match. “We are searching for this feeling for many years. Taylor beat me many, many times, so I’m happy to take one.”
In stark contrast to the men’s match, Gauff’s swift victory against Sierra showcased her dominance on the court. The two-time Grand Slam champion completed the match in just 57 minutes, displaying a level of play that left her optimistic for the future. “I’m really happy. There was a little bit of pressure,” Gauff shared, adding, “I feel like I can play even better too, which is even more exciting.”
As the United States prepares for the decisive mixed doubles match, the outcome will determine their fate in the tournament, with both Fritz and Gauff’s performances creating a compelling narrative ahead of the Australian Open.
