AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 14, 2025

Taylor Fritz

Press Conference

T. FRITZ/J. Brooksby

6-2, 6-0, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Taylor, how do you feel to get this straight-set win under your belt?

TAYLOR FRITZ: I feel really good. I think coming out first round in a slam is a lot of times a little bit of nerves. I did a good job to kind of get past it pretty early on, play a really solid match.

Super happy to start the tournament.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you rate your confidence level, which seems incredibly high?

TAYLOR FRITZ: I'd say my confidence is, like, I don't know, it's pretty high, like an 8. Even better toward the end of last year. I think sometimes when you're playing really good at the end of the year, that off-season almost a little bit kills the momentum.

I've been playing pretty well since the start of the year. United Cup I played pretty good. There's no reason for me not to be very confident.

Q. When you see someone like Tsitsipas going out early, does that affect your mentality as a fellow top seed, or do you just focus on your tennis?

TAYLOR FRITZ: No, I mean, upsets happen. To be honest, he was playing Michelsen, who I think is a really tough unseeded player, has a good matchup, has a good game to play Stef.

I don't think like a major, major upset. I don't know. There's lots of really strong unseeded players in the tournament. I see tough matches everywhere.

I just focus on what's in front of me.

Q. You set yourself a goal last year to be in the top 5. Have you thought about a new goal for this year?

TAYLOR FRITZ: I haven't thought about it too far ahead. I think the general goal right now is to have just big results at the big tournaments. I would like to win a big title this year.

I would really want to be in another slam final and just give myself - obviously the goal is to win - but another opportunity at winning a slam would be great.