14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras has praised US Open boys’ champion Taylor Fritz after recently taking part in a 30-minute training session with him.
Sampras is currently participating in the Monterrey Open on the ATP Champions tour. It was in Mexico where he met Fritz for the first time, who is participating in a $100,000 Challenger event this week. Speaking about the 18-year-old, Sampras said that he has the ability to have ‘a great future’.
“He hits the ball big, has a monster forehand. I haven’t seen him play that much, but he’s got a few big weapons. He’s a big kid. I was just talking to him a little bit about what it takes, that is working hard and sacrificing. He’s on his way and he’s got the right attitude, willing to learn and listen. He’s got a great future.” Sampras told atpchampionstour.com.
Fritz recently caught the attention of the tour after claiming back-to-back Challenger titles in Sacramento and Fairfield earlier this month. He is the seventh active player to win multiple Challenger titles on the tour under the age of 18, joining the likes of Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych and Rafael Nadal. He is still ranked No.1 on the junior tour after his US Open triumph against fellow American Tommy Paul.
Despite the recent duo of successes, Sampras has advised the teenager that he needs to work on his fitness away from the court in order to compete with the physical demands against players such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
“I think it’s just working hard and putting in the time off the court and getting in great shape. You look at the game today with Djokovic and Nadal, it’s gotten so physical. These guys are so strong and he’s only 18 and it’s going to take some time. He’s on his way, but he’s got to put in the gym work and stay healthy.” The 44-year-old said.
Fritz received a wild card into this week’s Monterrey Challenger. In the first round defeated world No.129 and fourth seed Bjorn Fratangelo in three sets. His run in Mexico was ended in the quarterfinals when he lost 6-4, 7-6 (1), to fifth seed Thiemo de Bakker.
