Taylor Fritz had a less-than-friendly send-off for Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech after their second spherical match at Wimbledon on Thursday.
Fritz, the No. 13 seed, defeated Rinderknech 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 on the All England Club in what was a rematch of their earlier assembly on the French Open in 2023.
Taylor Fritz of the United States in motion towards Arthur Rinderknech of France within the Gentlemen’s Singles second spherical match throughout day 4 of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2024, in London, England. (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
During their post-match handshake, Fritz admitted to telling Rinderknech to “have a pleasant flight residence.” But as he defined, the remark wasn’t unprompted.
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“I’m a really chill particular person. I don’t do something that would rub individuals the mistaken means, so when somebody type of simply goes out of their technique to take a shot at me, then I’m not simply going to take it,” he mentioned, through The Associated Press. “It gave me the additional hearth to win.”
“When we shook fingers, I simply mentioned, ‘Have a pleasant flight residence.’”
The “shot” Fritz was referring to appeared to reference a remark Rinderknech made earlier than their match.
Arthur Rinderknech of France in motion towards Taylor Fritz of the United States within the Gentlemen’s Singles second spherical match throughout day 4 of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 4, 2024, in London, England. (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
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According to Tennis.com, Rinderknech made a comment about their final assembly at Roland Garros in 2023, the place Fritz famously shushed the predominantly French crowd after defeating Rinderknech within the second spherical.
“The ambiance might be quieter (than at Roland Garros) and he received’t cry as a lot,” he mentioned, based on the report. “He whined a bit, saying it was too noisy. I maintain no grudge towards him, however he was mistaken if he thought the French crowd would ship him kisses in between factors.”
Taylor Fritz of the United States celebrates his victory over Arthur Rinderknech of France within the second spherical of the lads’s singles at Roland Garros on June 1, 2023, in Paris, France. (Frey/TPN/Getty Images)
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According to Fritz, Rinderknech didn’t seem to understand the comment and reminded him that he’ll nonetheless be on the grass courts enjoying in doubles.
“I mentioned, ‘Oh, congrats. Good for you.’ Then he began performing like, ‘Why are you blah, blah, blah?’ I’m like, ‘Dude, you already know what you mentioned. You know what you mentioned.’ Don’t disrespect me earlier than the match after which anticipate me to be all good after the match. That’s not the way it works.”
Fritz will subsequent tackle Twenty fourth-seeded Alejandro Tabilo of Chile on Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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