The 2025 French Open delivered its first major upset on May 26, as world No. 4 Taylor Fritz, America’s top men’s seed, crashed out in the first round to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in a stunning 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat on Court Simonne-Mathieu. The 27-year-old Californian, fresh off a US Open final appearance in 2024, was expected to make a deep run at Roland Garros, but his early exit—the earliest at the tournament since 2018—left fans and analysts reeling. In a candid post-match press conference, Fritz revealed a perplexing issue plaguing his game: “It’s really strange because I feel like since Rome, Geneva, and here, my movement on court is really bad. I don’t know what’s going on.” His admission of slipping, sliding off-balance, and feeling wrong-footed on clay painted a picture of a player grappling with an unexpected physical disconnect.
Fritz’s defeat to Altmaier, ranked No. 66, marked his second consecutive early Grand Slam exit, following a fourth-round loss to Gaël Monfils at the Australian Open in January 2025. The match began competitively, with Fritz dropping a tight first set 7-5 before rebounding to take the second 6-3. However, Altmaier, buoyed by his fifth career win over a top-10 opponent, seized control, winning 12 of the final 16 games. “It was very special,” Altmaier said, radiating confidence. “I think I was working really hard the past weeks to get confidence, preparing myself for those kinds of matches. I feel like I’m ready to play whoever is going to face me.” His low, slicing groundstrokes and clay-court savvy exposed Fritz’s struggles, particularly in crucial moments. “I think I’m playing generally fine. It’s just I’m playing horrendous tennis on a lot of the important points,” Fritz lamented, admitting to squandering key opportunities.
The loss compounds a challenging 2025 for Fritz, who has posted a 17-9 record while battling an abdominal injury since February. A recent ankle twist in Geneva, where he reached the semifinals, further complicated his preparation, though he downplayed its impact: “I rolled my ankle in Geneva, it doesn’t feel great, but it’s not the reason I lost today.” His discomfort on clay, a surface he’s openly criticized, added to his woes. Fritz has long grumbled about the “super dead” tennis balls used in Paris, which he feels dull his powerful serve and versatile forehand—strengths that propelled him to the 2024 US Open final against Jannik Sinner. “A lot of times when I’m sliding, I’m off balance or I’m not timing it correctly. I’m getting wrong-footed a lot, slipping a lot,” he added, his wry smile betraying frustration as he questioned his pre-tournament claim of being “100 percent” fit.
Fritz’s clay-court struggles are not new. Despite reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2024, he has lost four of seven matches on the surface this year. His game, built on a rocket serve and aggressive baseline play, thrives on faster surfaces like grass, where he’s a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist. Altmaier’s tactical acumen, using slices to keep the ball low, exposed Fritz’s discomfort moving forward to cover the net—a tactic also used effectively by Lorenzo Musetti in last year’s Wimbledon loss. “My movement on court is really bad,” Fritz reiterated, puzzled by his inability to adapt despite feeling physically sound. The defeat opens up the men’s draw, benefiting players like compatriots Frances Tiafoe, Jenson Brooksby, and Sebastian Korda, who all advanced, and Britain’s Jack Draper, who climbs to No. 4 in the live rankings.
Off the court, Fritz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. His US Open final run and ATP Tour Finals appearance showcased his potential to break America’s 22-year men’s Grand Slam drought, yet injuries and inconsistent form have stalled his momentum. His 2023 French Open clash with the Parisian crowd, when he shushed fans after defeating local favorite Arthur Rinderknech, remains a memorable moment, with Fritz sarcastically praising the “great” crowd that jeered him. This time, his exit was quieter but no less impactful. “All the pressure, important points, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m finding ways to just play the worst point possible,” he said, hinting at a mental hurdle alongside his physical struggles.
As Fritz shifts focus to the grass-court season, where his serve could wreak havoc, the tennis world awaits his response. Altmaier, meanwhile, advances to face Vit Kopriva, carrying the confidence of a career-defining win. For Fritz, the road to redemption lies ahead, but his baffling movement issues on clay remain a mystery he must solve to reclaim his place among the elite.
# Taylor Fritz’s French Open Shocker: American Star Baffled by Mysterious Movement Struggles
The 2025 French Open delivered its first major upset on May 26, as world No. 4 Taylor Fritz, America’s top men’s seed, crashed out in the first round to Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in a stunning 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat on Court Simonne-Mathieu. The 27-year-old Californian, fresh off a US Open final appearance in 2024, was expected to make a deep run at Roland Garros, but his early exit—the earliest at the tournament since 2018—left fans and analysts reeling. In a candid post-match press conference, Fritz revealed a perplexing issue plaguing his game: “It’s really strange because I feel like since Rome, Geneva, and here, my movement on court is really bad. I don’t know what’s going on.” His admission of slipping, sliding off-balance, and feeling wrong-footed on clay painted a picture of a player grappling with an unexpected physical disconnect.
Fritz’s defeat to Altmaier, ranked No. 66, marked his second consecutive early Grand Slam exit, following a fourth-round loss to Gaël Monfils at the Australian Open in January 2025. The match began competitively, with Fritz dropping a tight first set 7-5 before rebounding to take the second 6-3. However, Altmaier, buoyed by his fifth career win over a top-10 opponent, seized control, winning 12 of the final 16 games. “It was very special,” Altmaier said, radiating confidence. “I think I was working really hard the past weeks to get confidence, preparing myself for those kinds of matches. I feel like I’m ready to play whoever is going to face me.” His low, slicing groundstrokes and clay-court savvy exposed Fritz’s struggles, particularly in crucial moments. “I think I’m playing generally fine. It’s just I’m playing horrendous tennis on a lot of the important points,” Fritz lamented, admitting to squandering key opportunities.
The loss compounds a challenging 2025 for Fritz, who has posted a 17-9 record while battling an abdominal injury since February. A recent ankle twist in Geneva, where he reached the semifinals, further complicated his preparation, though he downplayed its impact: “I rolled my ankle in Geneva, it doesn’t feel great, but it’s not the reason I lost today.” His discomfort on clay, a surface he’s openly criticized, added to his woes. Fritz has long grumbled about the “super dead” tennis balls used in Paris, which he feels dull his powerful serve and versatile forehand—strengths that propelled him to the 2024 US Open final against Jannik Sinner. “A lot of times when I’m sliding, I’m off balance or I’m not timing it correctly. I’m getting wrong-footed a lot, slipping a lot,” he added, his wry smile betraying frustration as he questioned his pre-tournament claim of being “100 percent” fit.
Fritz’s clay-court struggles are not new. Despite reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2024, he has lost four of seven matches on the surface this year. His game, built on a rocket serve and aggressive baseline play, thrives on faster surfaces like grass, where he’s a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist. Altmaier’s tactical acumen, using slices to keep the ball low, exposed Fritz’s discomfort moving forward to cover the net—a tactic also used effectively by Lorenzo Musetti in last year’s Wimbledon loss. “My movement on court is really bad,” Fritz reiterated, puzzled by his inability to adapt despite feeling physically sound. The defeat opens up the men’s draw, benefiting players like compatriots Frances Tiafoe, Jenson Brooksby, and Sebastian Korda, who all advanced, and Britain’s Jack Draper, who climbs to No. 4 in the live rankings.
Off the court, Fritz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. His US Open final run and ATP Tour Finals appearance showcased his potential to break America’s 22-year men’s Grand Slam drought, yet injuries and inconsistent form have stalled his momentum. His 2023 French Open clash with the Parisian crowd, when he shushed fans after defeating local favorite Arthur Rinderknech, remains a memorable moment, with Fritz sarcastically praising the “great” crowd that jeered him. This time, his exit was quieter but no less impactful. “All the pressure, important points, I don’t know what’s going on. I’m finding ways to just play the worst point possible,” he said, hinting at a mental hurdle alongside his physical struggles.
As Fritz shifts focus to the grass-court season, where his serve could wreak havoc, the tennis world awaits his response. Altmaier, meanwhile, advances to face Vit Kopriva, carrying the confidence of a career-defining win. For Fritz, the road to redemption lies ahead, but his baffling movement issues on clay remain a mystery he must solve to reclaim his place among the elite.
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