Fritz feels squeezed by Olympic qualifying demands

Taylor Fritz remains unimpressed by the extra week of tennis he must add to his 2024 schedule if he wants to qualify for this summer’s Paris Olympics.

The ATP No. 10 revealed his dilemma as he and Jessica Pegula prepared for the US title defence at the ATP-WTA United Cup, starting group play on Friday in Perth.

“My planning is greatly affected by the current rule by which I have to play a Davis Cup tie to be able to go to Paris 2024,” the Californian said.

“I want to play the Olympic event and that forces me to go to Lithuania after the Australian Open to comply with that rule.”

Fritz added: “I consider it vital for me to have an Olympic experience at this point in my career; that’s why I’m going to make that effort, no matter how much I would have liked to have had that week off.”

The American said that at age 26 he is best-placed for any run at Games glory, especially with the event being held in his native LA in 2028.

“My great opportunity to get an Olympic gold will be in four years. But I need to first experience what it means to compete in the Olympic Games (in Paris).”

Fritz said that to make the sacrifices possibly more enticing for time-pressed players, ATP ranking points should be rewarded at the Games.

“It’s a great honour to play for your country, but not only do we not win points, but we lose the possibility of adding (to them) in those weeks where other tournaments are played.

“In other sports, they spend four years training for the Games, but in tennis it is not like that.”