Fritz and Paul hit back after online criticism in US doubles selection drama

After the Americans went down to Italy in the Davis Cup quarter-final in the deciding doubles rubber on Thursday, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul hit back at online critics who questioned the omission of top American doubles player Rajeev Ram from the team.

The omission of Ram, who became world No 1 for the first time in his career earlier this year and is currently ranked No 3, has become a major talking point with Ram expressing his hurt at being looked over and U.S. captain Mardy Fish defending his decision right up to the day prior to the tie.

But once Paul and Jack Sock went down to Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolleli in straight sets, the decision of the Americans to name only four players (instead of five) once again came under the scanner.

Canada’s Brayden Schnur, a former world no 92, was among those who questioned Ramn’s omission, tweeting “Look at the players on the team. Take a look at their egios. We’re all smart enough to put the pieces together I feel for Rajeev, great player even better man.”

That tweet by Schnur, who is now ranked No 909 in the world and hasn’t played since April this year, set off a series of reactions from both Fritz and Paul.

Paul also posted a tweet, which has since been deleted, which may have referenced his missing countryman.

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