Taylor’s Time: Fritz defeats the great Rafa Nadal, earns Indian Wells title for biggest win of career
Taylor Fritz has done it.
Taylor’s Time. King in the Desert! @KESQ @BNPPARIBASOPEN pic.twitter.com/P4CI5gBdsJ
— Blake Arthur (@BlakeArthur24) March 21, 2022
SoCal Sensation 🌴
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
California kid @Taylor_Fritz97 rises to the occasion, conquering Nadal to capture a first Masters 1000 title 6-3, 7-6(5)#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/BQJY0KRMyJ
Fritz Breaks Through🏆 🎾 🌴! 6-2 7-6@Taylor_Fritz97 completes the mission, against the sports greatest competitor and fighter @RafaelNadal
— Bailey Arredondo (@BaileyKESQ) March 21, 2022
A big time moment for 🇺🇸 🎾, #Fritz and his team much deserving! @paul_annacone @KESQ @BlakeArthur24 pic.twitter.com/mOAeVgLZPt
A historic victory, Fritz defeated the legendary Rafael Nadal in straight sets on Sunday (6-3, 7-6), earning the BNP Paribas Open men's singles title, the biggest win of his career.
"Winning this tournament is just one of those crazy childhood dreams that you don't think is ever going to happen," said Fritz.
First Masters feelings 🤯#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/TavJ12QpU9
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
The 24-year-old San Diego native with local ties to the Coachella Valley calls Indian Wells his "home tournament."
Living the DREAM#IndianWells | @Taylor_Fritz97 pic.twitter.com/8kJDpw47Hw
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
And he certainly brought it home, taking down arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, in a match where Fritz was in control of the match, playing with total confidence in his abilities that once dubbed him as one of the top prospects in the sport of tennis.
Yes, it's real @Taylor_Fritz97 😁#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/BGmzYAJCIQ
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
Prospect no more, Fritz is a Masters 1000 champion, emerging as one of the best players in the world.
🇺🇸 Captain America 🇺🇸#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/DjhSopMibG
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
With the win, Fritz becomes the first American to win at Indian Wells since Andre Agassi in 2001.
🇺🇸 American Dream 🇺🇸#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/Ml29PCp1Fs
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
As for Nadal, it's his first loss of the season.
The 21-time grand slam champion was unbeaten, a perfect 20-0, until falling in defeat to Fritz on Sunday afternoon inside Stadium.
"I try my best"
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
No doubt, @RafaelNadal#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/Yfp7THV83i
Nadal's quest for a 4th tournament title ultimately came up short but the 35-year-old Spaniard continues to play at an extremely high level.
A true battle#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/5yVAzcUDjb
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 21, 2022
Fritz's first-place prize will earn him $1.2 million dollars while Nadal will get about half of that for second place. Fritz will move up to No. 13 in the ATP rankings on Monday.
