On a sun-drenched afternoon at Devonshire Park, Taylor Fritz solidified his status as the undisputed king of the Lexus Eastbourne Open, clinching his fourth title at the ATP 250 grass-court event with a commanding 7-5, 6-1 victory over fellow American Jenson Brooksby. The world number five, a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, showcased his grass-court prowess in a match that underscored his affinity for the East Sussex coast. With this triumph, Fritz heads into Wimbledon 2025 brimming with confidence, having secured two grass-court titles this season and a remarkable 17-2 record at Eastbourne.
The final, played on June 28, 2025, was a tale of two sets. The first was a tightly contested battle, with both players trading blows like seasoned prizefighters. Brooksby, a 24-year-old lucky loser ranked 149th in the world, struck first, breaking Fritz’s serve to take a 3-2 lead. But Fritz, known for his powerful serve and relentless baseline game, responded with a break of his own, leveling the score. The set hinged on the 12th game, where Fritz’s precision and composure shone through. Converting his second set point, he sealed the opener 7-5, firing eight aces and winning 70% of his first-serve points. “I don’t know what exactly it is about it, but I come here and always feel like I’m playing great tennis,” Fritz said, reflecting on his love affair with Eastbourne.
The second set saw Fritz elevate his game to another level. After both players held serve early, Fritz seized control in a pivotal third game, saving two break points in a marathon battle that shifted the match’s momentum. From there, he was unstoppable, winning five consecutive games and 16 of the next 21 points to close out the match in just 88 minutes. His dominance was evident in the stats: 21 winners, including nine in the second set, and a 65% success rate on serve points. Brooksby, despite his valiant effort, couldn’t match Fritz’s intensity, managing only seven winners and struggling to convert his two break-point opportunities.
Fritz’s victory marks his 10th career ATP title and his fifth on grass, placing him second only to Novak Djokovic among active players for grass-court triumphs. His Eastbourne record is nothing short of extraordinary, with titles in 2019, 2022, 2024, and now 2025. “There’s something about Eastbourne,” Fritz said in his on-court interview. “I just love it here. Every year I come here and it’s such a good week.” His success at the tournament, where he’s never lost a final, is a testament to his comfort on the slick, windy courts of Devonshire Park, where he’s turned the event into his personal playground.
For Brooksby, the final capped a remarkable week. Entering as a lucky loser after falling in the second round of qualifying, he became the first player in Eastbourne history to reach the final in that role. His journey included a gritty three-set win over fourth seed Ugo Humbert, showcasing the resilience that saw him climb 48 spots to No. 101 in the ATP rankings. “I thought I stayed really resilient,” Brooksby said after his semi-final victory. “It means a lot to be back on stages like this, not just skill-wise but physically.” His run, following a title in Houston earlier this year, signals a comeback for the former world No. 33, who began 2025 ranked outside the top 1000.
Fritz’s path to the final was no cakewalk. He faced tough tests, including three-set battles against Joao Fonseca, Marcos Giron, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Yet, his ability to adapt to Eastbourne’s challenging conditions—windy weather and slick courts—proved decisive. “I’ve been very lucky all those years I won the tournament to not play in very windy conditions,” he noted, highlighting his knack for thriving in the coastal town. His recent Stuttgart title, where he defeated world No. 3 Alexander Zverev, further underscores his form heading into Wimbledon, where he faces Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round.
As Fritz prepares for the All England Club, his Eastbourne triumph serves as a powerful statement. With seven wins in eight grass-court matches this season, he’s among the favorites to challenge for the Wimbledon title. Meanwhile, Brooksby’s inspiring run offers hope for a resurgent career. For now, though, Eastbourne belongs to Fritz—a Californian who’s made this English seaside town his second home.
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