World No. 8 Taylor Fritz has broken his silence over concerns surrounding his participation in both the MGM Rewards Slam exhibition in Las Vegas and the ATP 500 Mexican Open in Acapulco, vehemently denying any scheduling conflicts or compromises to tournament integrity. Fritz, along with Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul, had faced criticism from fans and pundits after their names appeared in both event lineups, raising questions about potential conflicts if they reached the Acapulco final.
Fritz clarifies the timeline: ‘We wouldn’t set ourselves up for failure’
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Fritz explained that the MGM Rewards Slam’s opening day, March 1, would only feature a women’s match between Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka, while all men’s matches would take place on March 2. This ensures there’s no overlap with the Mexican Open, where the final is scheduled for March 1.
“I wouldn’t sign up for an event that coincides with the finals of a potential tour event before the tournament EVEN starts,” Fritz wrote, dismissing assumptions that he or his colleagues were prioritizing the exhibition over the ATP tournament. He also emphasized the basic logic of the scheduling: “1) That would be just setting yourself up for failure, and 2) I’m pretty sure there’s rules against doing that in the first place.”
A pointed response to critics
Fritz didn’t hold back in addressing those who had accused him, Zverev, and Paul of double-booking irresponsibly. “I’m pretty disappointed that people can’t figure that out for themselves and just assume the worst,” he said. “As if we aren’t planning on doing well at the tournament or something ridiculous along those lines.”
This frank defense comes amid increasing scrutiny of exhibitions in tennis, particularly as players complain about the grueling ATP calendar while continuing to participate in lucrative exhibition events.
The rise of exhibitions: lucrative opportunities or misplaced priorities?
Exhibition matches have sparked debate in recent months, with events like the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh drawing both top players and controversy. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and others participated in the Saudi event, where Sinner walked away with the largest paycheck in tennis history. Critics argue that exhibitions send mixed messages, as players who frequently lament the length of the ATP schedule find time for non-tour matches.
Alcaraz has faced particular backlash, balancing a call for calendar reforms with participation in exhibition matches against Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe. This has fueled concerns that the financial allure of exhibitions might conflict with player commitments to the ATP Tour.
Fritz and co. defend their priorities
For Fritz, Zverev, and Paul, the MGM Rewards Slam offers a chance to showcase their talents in a less competitive setting without jeopardizing their Acapulco campaigns. While the proximity of the events presents some risk of fatigue, Fritz’s emphatic clarification leaves no doubt that the trio remains focused on success at the ATP 500 event.
