Taylor Fritz: His Early Career

Taylor Fritz grew up in a typical Southern California family where tennis was a big part of daily life. He was the youngest of three boys. His mom, Kathy May, was once a top-10 WTA player, and his dad, Guy Fritz, also played professional tennis and later became the US Olympic Development Coach of the Year in 2016. When Taylor was 18, his parents divorced, but he continued to focus on tennis.

Through his mom’s side of the family, Taylor is connected to David May, the founder of a department store company that later merged with Macy’s. Taylor also has two older half-brothers, Chris and Kyle, who often practiced with him in a game or helped him warm up at a game. Tennis runs in the family—his uncle Harry Fritz played professionally and once won the longest Davis Cup match ever (by number of games!), and his aunt Laura was a world-class swimmer.

Taylor grew up in Rancho Santa Fe, near San Diego, and went to Torrey Pines High School. As a freshman, he won the CIF singles title, showing that even at 14, he was already standing out from other players. Soon after, he switched to an online school so he could travel more and build his career.

Junior Career

Taylor didn’t start playing international junior tournaments until he was 15. His first tournament was a small event near his hometown in 2013. After that, he slowly began playing more events and soon reached the semifinals of Junior Wimbledon in 2014. That same year, he won the Osaka Mayor’s Cup, one of the top junior tournaments.

In 2015, Taylor had a memorable rivalry with another young American player, Tommy Paul. They met in two junior Grand Slam finals that year—Taylor lost to Paul at the French Open but defeated him at the US Open. Their rivalry pushed both players to improve and gain confidence.

Taylor’s strong results helped him finish 2015 ranked number one in the world among junior boys, earning the title of ITF Junior World Champion. He was the first American to do this since Andy Roddick and Donald Young. Many young fans read about his success while dreaming of going to tennis camp and following a similar path.

Vocabulary Definitions + Examples

in a game

Definition: during a match or while playing

Example: Taylor stayed calm in a game even when the score was close.

at a game

Definition: at the location where a match is happening

Example: His brothers cheered for him at a game in San Diego.

rivalry

Definition: competition between two players or teams who try to outplay each other

Example: His rivalry with Tommy Paul made both players stronger.

tennis camp

Definition: a place where young players train, practice, and learn tennis skills

Example: Many teens go to tennis camp in the summer to improve.

typical

Definition: normal; usual; common

Example: His day was typical for a young athlete—school, training, and rest.

Worksheet

A. Comprehension Questions

1. Who were Taylor Fritz’s parents and what sports did they play?

2. How old was Taylor when his parents divorced?

3. What made his uncle Harry famous in tennis history?

4. Why did Taylor switch to an online high school?

5. Who was Taylor’s main junior rival, and what happened in their two Grand Slam finals?

B. Vocabulary Practice

Match the word to the definition:

1. rivalry

2. typical

3. tennis camp

4. in a game

5. at a game

a. a place where young athletes train

b. usual or normal

c. during a match

d. at the location of a match

e. ongoing competition between two players

C. Fill in the Blanks

Use these words: rivalry, typical, tennis camp, in a game

1. His ___ with Tommy Paul helped him improve.

2. Many young players dream of going to ___.

3. Taylor stayed focused ___, even when the crowd was loud.

4. It was a ___ day for him: school in the morning, training in the afternoon.

   
   

D. Discussion Questions

1. Do you think having a rivalry helps athletes improve? Why or why not?

2. Would you like to go to a tennis camp or another kind of sports camp?

3. What does a typical day look like for you as a student?

4. Have you ever watched someone play in a game or cheered for a friend at a game?

5. At 13 or 14, what activities do you think help teens grow as athletes?