“I think this year is the least amount of tennis I have ever played,” Taylor Fritz candidly admitted ahead of the Miami Open last month, and his words couldn’t have rung truer. The American star, seeded fourth, has battled an abdominal injury since February, limiting his performance and court time. After a modest Miami campaign, eventual champion Sebastian Ruud dashed his Madrid Open hopes in the R16. Now eyeing redemption at the Italian Masters, Fritz is eager for a fresh start. But amid his comeback trail, the Californian stirred up the internet with his unfiltered take on the viral “Gorilla vs. 100 men” debate. This hot take even earned a nod from fellow American star Coco Gauff. So, what’s the full story?

As the ATP Tour rolls into Rome for the Italian Open, the tennis world has momentarily shifted its focus from rallies to a raging social media debate: “Can 100 men defeat a gorilla in a battle?” This quirky hypothetical, posed by ‘OverTime Tennis’, has ignited a flurry of opinions from the sport’s top stars. Jannik Sinner, Matteo Arnaldi, and Felix Auger-Aliassime didn’t hesitate, firmly backing the gorilla. “Gorilla for sure, I think people underestimate like, the force of nature, like a gorilla,” said Auger-Aliassime, echoing the sentiments of many who view the animal’s raw power as insurmountable.

On the flip side, others have confidently placed their bets on human strength in numbers. Arthur Fils boldly claimed, “100%, we only need 20 men,” while Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Zverev, and American Frances Tiafoe joined the pro-human camp. Taylor Fritz added his twist, saying, “As long as they’re committed to the cause.” While the tennis internet remains split, Fritz’s comment has reignited the debate, drawing fresh attention as WTA star Coco Gauff weighed in with her perspective, proving the fun-fueled question is far from over.

Just a couple of hours ago, Taylor Fritz reignited the internet’s favorite hypothetical debate with a cheeky IG post. Sharing a photo of himself in a plain black t-shirt, the American star added an eyebrow-raising caption: “100 men > 🦍 … next question.” The post quickly went viral, catching the attention of fans and fellow players alike. Among them was WTA 4th seed Coco Gauff, who jumped into the conversation with a playful jab, commenting, “😂😂😂 good luck with that.”

Away from social media, Fritz has been quietly proving his critics wrong on the red clay courts. After a disappointing opening-round exit in Monte Carlo, the 26-year-old bounced back in style, reaching the final in Munich and powering into the SF of the Mutua Madrid Open, a prestigious Masters 1000 event. Not bad for a player who didn’t even set foot on red clay until he was 16.

“I’m never going to be the best clay-court player, but the joke is obviously that everyone is expecting me to be awful on clay and not win a lot of matches on clay,” Fritz admitted in a recent interview. “I honestly feel like I’ve always enjoyed playing on red clay. I absolutely hate green clay, always have and always will. Part of my game has always suited it. I think my forehand is great for clay.” His eyes are now firmly set on a breakthrough performance at the Italian Open.

In the background of Fritz’s tennis journey, his partner Morgan Riddle continues to make waves of her own. She recently credited her rising career to the consistent support she’s received from the American ace, underlining the strength of their bond both on and off the court.

“It’s a partnership,” Morgan Riddle responds to critics as Taylor drives growth for the influencer

Taylor Fritz and Morgan Riddle’s love story began in 2020 after the two connected through a dating app on the internet. Since then, they’ve evolved into one of tennis’ most visible and talked-about couples. Morgan Riddle, a model and social media influencer, has carved out her path by offering fans a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a professional tennis player on tour. Her rise in popularity accelerated after appearing alongside Fritz in Netflix’s “Break Point” series, which showcased the emotional rollercoaster of elite tennis.

However, despite her growing success, Riddle has faced criticism for supposedly riding on Fritz’s fame, something she addressed head-on. In a revealing episode of Olivia Molly Rogers’ podcast “Tell Me More,” she discussed her experience as a tennis WAG, her career growth, and the scrutiny she regularly endures. Speaking about her dynamic with Fritz, she praised his unwavering support. “In terms of like my career and everything that I’m doing, he’s always been so supportive of it,” Riddle shared. “Um, you know he’s always said like ‘I want to be a dual income household.’ So I’m like ‘All right baby Let’s be a dual income household Here we go.”

She didn’t shy away from confronting the criticism later. “People say that I am capitalizing off of his career. And I’m like, ‘Yep, you know what? I am.’ And he’s okay with that. And I’m okay with that because, you know, it’s—it’s a partnership,” she added confidently.

Now, as Fritz heads into the Italian Open seeded 4th and enjoying a 1st-round bye, the spotlight intensifies. With Morgan’s resolute backing, could this be the moment he finally captures his first title of 2025 at the Italian clay?