Fritz pulls out of Paris with injury, putting ATP Finals qualification in doubt
The American withdrew from the Paris Masters with an abdominal injury before his second-round match against Daniel Altmaier
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 19, 2023 Taylor Fritz of the U.S. during his second round match against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)
Taylor Fritz has withdrawn from the Paris Masters due to an abdominal strain, one that puts his chances of qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals in serious danger.
The American No 1 beat Sebastian Baez of Argentina in his first-round match, but announced his withdrawal from the competition on Tuesday, a day before his scheduled last-32 encounter with German Daniel Altmaier, who will now receive a walkover in the third round.
“Devastated to have to pull out with so much on the line,” Fritz wrote on social media.
“All I wanted was the chance to fight for my potential Turin spot but after getting scans today on my oblique it’s just not possible for me to play.
“Time to rehab and hope to be back on court as soon as I can be.”
Fritz had looked solid against Baez, coming through the match in straight sets, but he needed to receive treatment on his abdominal region during the second set after appearing in some discomfort.
The American is currently ninth in the ATP live rankings race, sitting 190 points behind Holger Rune. Fritz can earn 250 points next week at the Sofia Open should he win it, but whether or not he will be fit to play is another big question mark.
Perhaps more immediately worrying for the world No 9, however, is that should Rune win his second-round match against Dominic Thiem, then Fritz will be eliminated from the race for qualification regardless of any further results.
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