“I do not care… it was a joke” — Fritz explains controversial remark on highlights of his win over Fonseca
Taylor Fritz on Friday defended himself against backlash for his curious observation on ATP match highlights disproportionately featuring better-known players
Taylor Fritz and Joao Fonseca | © Action Plus / Psnewz
World No 5 Taylor Fritz on Friday explained his controversial remarks on the highlights of his win over Brazilian Joao Fonseca in Eastbourne.
En route to his triumph, Fritz overcame Fonseca in a scintillating three-setter played over two days. He defeated the youngster 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-5 to kickstart his campaign. Following the win, the American posted a curious remark on Instagram, suggesting that the highlight video of his victory would include more bits from Fonseca.
The comments triggered strong reactions on social media and Fritz had to delete the comment.
After qualifying for the fourth round of Wimbledon on Friday, he addressed the controversy during his post-match press conference. He defended himself by claiming he wasn’t bitter about the situation and understood the promotional strategies adopted by the stakeholders to drive the engagement.
“I’ll make this very clear,” the 27-year-old began. “I don’t want to mess up what I’m saying. There are naturally going to be more highlights of players that drive more engagement, and that’s normal. That’s fine. When I said that it was a clearly a joke. People think I’m complaining. I’ve had Brazilians telling me I’m a crybaby for the last month since I said it basically.
“Trust me, I do not care about that. It was a joke. I think whether it be ATP or Tennis TV or whatever, it’s in the media company’s best interest to be posting the people who are going to drive the most engagement. That’s just what makes sense. That’s what they’re supposed to do.”
Fonseca has created a great deal of excitement in Brazil and worldwide with his explosive tennis, and Fritz seems to be at peace with it.
“Yes, Fonseca has a ton of fans and a ton of followers. There’s other players like that, too, that are going to be posted more than the other players. But it’s not something that we should be complaining about because, like I said, that’s the business at the end of the day. They’re trying to drive engagement. Those people are going to get the most engagement. It is what is. I just thought it was funny.”
It’s happened to me so many times.”
Taylor Fritz
Fritz further shared that he finds himself in a similar situation after facing players like Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner. To him, such visuals are amusing when they disproportionately feature the better-known player, giving the impression that he was dominated by the opponent in a rather close encounter.
“It’s happened so many times,” the American continued. “I practiced with like Carlos or Sinner or play a match, I look at the highlights. I think I won a set, a practice set against Carlos at maybe the Tour Finals. It was five Carlos highlights and one of mine. I’m like, I won a set. I look like I’m getting destroyed in the video.
“It’s funny. Like I said, I don’t care. It makes sense that you’re going to promote the more popular players.”
