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Watching Taylor Fritz in Shanghai Masters Action Takes Chris Evert Back in Time as the Tennis Legend Recalls a ‘Great Competitor’- ‘Like Mother, Like Son’

Published 10/08/2023, 12:44 AM EDT

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At the Shanghai Masters, fans and tennis legends have witnessed an exceptional journey, one that has left even the incomparable Chris Evert feeling nostalgic. The spotlight radiates on Taylor Fritz, a rising star in the tennis world, and the echoes of his doting mother’s tennis legacy have started to reverberate. Kathy May, Fritz’s mom, graced the tennis courts and made eminent progress in her time, on and off the court. As Fritz keeps on influencing the game, he matches and indeed outperforms his mom’s achievements.

The tennis veteran Evert couldn’t help but be reminded of the past as she watched the young star in action. Fritz’s journey in professional tennis has been nothing short of noteworthy. With each match he plays and every triumph he accomplishes, the American constructs his legacy. He also honors the tennis ancestry that runs through his veins.

Chris Evert turns nostalgic over Taylor Fritz and his incredible Shanghai Masters journey

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At the Shanghai Rolex Masters, Taylor Fritz and his journey mirrored that of his caring mother, Kathy May. Both mother and child arrived at the quarterfinals at this renowned event yet in various eras. May’s accomplishment filled in as a benchmark for her child, and Fritz has now matched that result, demonstrating his distinct prowess on the international court. Chris Evert, herself an unbelievable figure in tennis history, perceived the parallels between May and Fritz’s tennis careers. She was quick to share her strong reactions to X with her followers.

In a sincere tweet, the tennis veteran honored the mother-child couple. Evert, admired May’s role as a “great competitor” and drew parallels with Fritz’s journey in the sport. She wrote, “So, I’m watching @Taylor_Fritz97 remembering playing his mom, Kathy May in our era.” Evert also explained, “She was a great competitor…. like mother, like son!👏👍.”

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Fritz’s exhilarating Shanghai Masters triumph against Yosuke Watanuki left tennis legend Chris Evert dazzled. In the high-stakes match, the American showed expertise and assurance. The first set went to Fritz in a tiebreaker, yet Watanuki won the second-set tiebreaker. The strained third set saw Fritz breaking Watanuki’s serve, and scoring a 6-4 triumph.

 

What genuinely stood apart was Fritz’s sportsmanship and relentlessness. Evert, who once confronted Fritz’s mother, admired their shared competitive and fiery spirit. The 27-year-old with him the legacy of his mother and the admiration of tennis veterans like Evert, who admire his ability to leave an indelible mark on the court. However, Evert was not the only one to take note of the young American sensation, since her ex too hailed his performance earlier in the year.

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John Lloyd recently criticized the French Open crowd and commended Fritz’s warrior spirit

Chris Evert’s ex-husband voiced his strong opinions about the behavior of fans at the French Open earlier this year. John Lloyd, the former tennis pro and sports commentator, had particularly criticized their unruly conduct. During a Tennis Podcast titled “Inside-In” with Mitch Michals, Lloyd did not hold back on the extent of their behavior, and described it as “horrendous.” The former British Davis Cup captain made it clear that French tennis crowds, in his view, are among the least courteous among the Grand Slam events.

During the podcast, Lloyd highlighted a specific incident involving American tennis player, Fritz. Fritz faced off against French player Arthur Rinderknech at the 2023 French Open. After Fritz secured a victory, abruptly ending Rinderknech’s run and leaving no French players in the tournament, the crowd at the stadium reacted by booing and whistling relentlessly. In response to the unruly crowd, Fritz firmly and repeatedly urged them to “shush.”

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Lloyd commended Fritz for his response to the challenging situation, describing him as a “warrior” and expressing his admiration for the young American’s resilience. He acknowledged the difficulties Fritz faced due to the crowd’s behavior and praised his determined reaction.

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Written by:

Dr Aditya Raveendran Menon

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Aditya Menon is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports, covering several high-profile tournaments and events. With a passion for writing that matches his love for the sport, he has a special interest in covering the activities of tennis legends like Serena Williams and the ‘Big Three’ of men’s tennis. Aditya’s interest in tennis started at a young age when his father introduced him to the sport.
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Edited by:

Mitali Dey