Taylor Fritz is living his dream, and the world is watching. As he prepares for the 2024 US Open final against world number one Jannik Sinner, he stands on the brink of history. Fritz, the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final in 15 years, is just one step away from becoming the first U.S. male tennis player to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003. Behind his remarkable journey lie the stories of his parents, Kathy May and Guy Fritz, who have been pivotal in shaping his tennis career.
Born on October 28, 1997, in Rancho Santa Fe, California, Taylor Fritz grew up in a household deeply immersed in tennis. His mother, Kathy May, was a successful professional tennis player, winning seven WTA singles titles and four doubles titles during her six-year career. She even reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals and ranked in the top 10 in 1977. After retiring in the 1980s, Kathy met Guy Fritz, a former professional tennis player turned coach. Together, they nurtured Taylor’s budding talent.
However, Kathy’s romantic life before Guy Fritz was complicated. In 1980, she had a brief marriage with tennis star Brian Teacher, which ended in divorce just months later. She then married firefighter Donn Paben in 1981, with whom she had two sons before they parted ways. It was after this that Guy Fritz came into her life, and their relationship eventually led to the birth of Taylor Fritz. Despite their shared love for tennis, Kathy and Guy Fritz eventually divorced as well.
For Taylor, growing up in a tennis-centered family had its pros and cons. In an interview, he mentioned that he found tennis “cool” because it was what his parents did, but he also admitted that there were times when he disliked the sport and preferred other activities. Yet, Taylor never felt pressured by his parents to pursue tennis. Instead, he often found himself caught between his parents’ differing perspectives on the sport.
Guy Fritz, Taylor’s father, played a significant role in his son’s development as a tennis player. In a 2023 interview, Guy revealed that he did everything possible to make Taylor a champion. From the time Taylor was a toddler, Guy had him walking on balance boards and later established a home gym to monitor his son’s fitness and a plant-based diet. With his extensive experience on the tennis court, Guy knew what it took for Taylor to excel in the sport. However, Taylor wasn’t always thrilled with his father’s coaching style.
In an interview, Taylor described his father as a “harsh critic” of his tennis game, preferring to focus on positive reinforcement rather than criticism. Despite this, Taylor chose to stick with his father as his coach, believing that no one else would care as much about his success. This decision paid off in 2015 when Guy Fritz coached Taylor to victory at the US Junior Open, one of the highlights of their journey together.
As Taylor Fritz steps onto the court for the 2024 US Open final, the influence of his parents, both on and off the court, is undeniable. Whether he makes history or not, his story is a testament to the powerful, complex, and sometimes challenging role that family can play in shaping a champion.
