The biggest challenge about working with Taylor Fritz has been revealed by his coach as he makes Wimbledon quarter-final

 

Taylor Fritz has made the quarter-final at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year, after a walkover against Jordan Thompson in the fourth round on Court No.1.

Fritz was one set up against Thompson before the Australian was forced to retire from the contest due to injury.

The result now means the American will face Karen Khachanov in the last eight, whom he has lost to in both of their previous meetings.

Following a busy grass swing where he featured in three Wimbledon tune-up events, the world number five has enjoyed a successful campaign at the All England Club so far, as he continues his pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam title.

After his triumph, Fritz‘s coach, Paul Annacone, discussed how the 27-year-old has improved, and highlighted the biggest challenge about working with him.

Jordan Thompson and Taylor Fritz shake hands at the net after their fourth-round match at Wimbledon.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images

Paul Annacone talks about what it’s like to coach Taylor Fritz

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Annacone said: “The biggest joy [about working with Fritz] is that he does my favourite thing; he’s an unconditional competitor. No matter what happens, he’s never out.

“No matter how far ahead he knows it’s not over, no matter how far behind, he knows it’s not over.

“The fact that his desire never wavers, to me, is the strongest asset that he’s got.

“You combine that with the other great assets. Arguably the best ball striker on tour, one of the biggest serves on tour, and his desire to continue to get better.

 

“To me that’s why I’ve been fortunate to be there for as many years as I have.

Taylor Fritz looks on during his fourth-round match at Wimbledon in 2025.
Photo by Visionhaus via Getty Images
“Michael [Russell] travels with him 35 weeks a year. We try to communicate as much as possible.

“He’s done a great job in terms of the detail orientation, on the road, kind of tapping into some resources that Taylor quite frankly wasn’t great at initially.

“Doing the warmups, doing the training when you’re on the road, the micro-dosing stuff, Michael is awesome at that stuff.

“So for me it’s been amazing. The only thing that’s really challenging is, my debate skills aren’t that strong.

“I don’t win the debates nearly as much as I would like. But that’s ok because that’s another reason why he’s top five in the world.”

Taylor Fritz’s 2025 Wimbledon campaign so far

Just two days after winning the Eastbourne Open, Fritz was given a tough first-round assignment in the form of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, against whom he came back from two sets down to win.

After the match against Perricard was suspended for a day, he then won another five-setter against Gabriel Diallo without a day’s rest.

Round
Opponent
Score

Fourth Round
Jordan Thompson
6-1, 3-0 (Walkover)

Third Round
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
6-4, 6-3, 6-7, 6-1

Second Round
Gabriel Diallo
3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3

First Round
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-4

In the third round, he faced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, whom he only needed four sets to overcome this time, defeating the Spaniard in a slightly more comfortable match.

Following a fourth-round walkover against Thompson, he is now back in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and has the chance to earn his best finish at the championships this year.