Tokyo
Rising American tennis star Taylor Fritz said on Monday that he is in the best shape of his life preparing to come out of quarantine but believes it is unrealistic to expect that to happen before the U.S. Open in August.
With both the ATP and WTA tours suspended until mid-July at the earliest due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fritz is making the best of isolation at his house in Los Angeles.
The world number 24 has a gym set up at home and use of a private tennis court. “I am spending more time working out than in training these days. There is nothing else I can really do,” Fritz told Reuters on Monday.
Fritz said he could play tomorrow if the tour restarted and believes his extra work during isolation could pay dividends when play resumes.
“I could (play) right now. I have been practicing enough to keep my level and then with all the gym stuff I have been doing I am in the best shape ever,” he said.
“I am ready to go.” “I think this time is going to be really interesting when all the players come back to play because then you are going to see which players took the time to work on their fitness and get stronger and what players didn’t work during this time.”
The coronavirus outbreak has played havoc with the tennis season, causing the cancellation of Wimbledon and pushing the French Open back until September.—Reuters
