As a pro sportsperson, you have to find a way to compete, no matter what. That’s exactly what Taylor Fritz depicted over two years ago. Remember the Asian swing where the current World No.4 was battling COVID? His girlfriend Morgan Riddle hasn’t forgotten it to date. A tragic one-week phase where her beau couldn’t even train properly. But he still found a way, and how!
For the uninitiated, Fritz tested positive for COVID back in September 2022. As a result, he had to withdraw from the Korea Open. Riddle was there to accompany him, but she tested positive too. Unfortunately, both of them had to remain quarantined in one place, in Seoul, for eight days. While he had no resources to practice, Fritz came up with a unique solution to get in shape. But how? Well, all the credit goes to Riddle for her assistance in his workout sessions.
Recalling that phase from 2022, Riddle took to her Instagram and shared a throwback clip in her story on Monday, March 4. It showed how Fritz was doing bench pressing while lifting Riddle in the air. “When taylor and i tested positive for covid and got imprisoned for an 8 day government quarantine in Korea,” she wrote in the description for the video. “still had to train for the tournament in Tokyo the next week”, she revealed. And guess what? Fritz’s dedication eventually paid off!
At the Japan Open, which was scheduled next in October 2022, he went on to clinch the ATP 500 title, defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the final. Despite both sets going into a tie-break, Fritz managed to outplay Tiafoe with a score line of 7-6, 7-6. The victory also pushed him into the top 10 for the first time in his career. “[It’s] crazy, I don’t even think it’s set in just how fast the last four or five days have been,” he said during the post-match interview. “It’s really crazy that I went from being in quarantine, having to fly here, and then winning the tournament.” Per Fritz, having such a campaign was “definitely something that I didn’t expect.”
Along with Fritz’s own impressive hard work, Riddle’s contribution in his personal training during quarantine did make an impact. Perhaps that’s why the American pro later confessed how crucial her role has been in his career so far.
When Taylor Fritz acknowledged GF Morgan Riddle’s role in his professional life
Ever since the two started dating in 2020, Riddle has been by Fritz’s side through thick and thin. Interestingly, she knew nothing about tennis to start with, but now she has enhanced her knowledge of the racket sport and has turned herself into a prominent sports influencer. During an interaction with CNN last December, Fritz praised her, saying, “I think it’s great to just kind of have someone who is with you, supporting you, helping keep you focused.”
The World No. 4 also mentioned that Riddle understood his life as an athlete and decided to be his support system. “As someone who had nothing to do with tennis before, in Morgan’s case, she’s done an amazing job over the years just kind of understanding. She gets it, and she also understands what it takes each week and throughout the year to help me play my best tennis and feel my best. I think that’s a big thing – I just kind of have someone helping me at all times,” he remarked.
Well, it is quite evident from her presence at almost every ATP event that Fritz enters. Remember how she cheered for him in Sydney at the United Cup back in January when Team USA won its second title? Praising her beau’s success, she wrote on IG, “Not a bad way to start the year .”
Even at the Australian Open, where Fritz was ousted in the QF stage after losing against Gael Monfils, Riddle provided him strength. Clearly, he is one lucky guy, isn’t he? What are your thoughts on this adorable couple?
The post Taylor Fritz’s GF Morgan Riddle Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane as She Recalls Beau’s Tennis Grind Amid COVID Struggles appeared first on EssentiallySports.
