T. FRITZ/R. Nadal
7-6, 6-1
THE MODERATOR: Great win in your first match ever here, winning against a legend like Rafa. You must be extremely happy.
TAYLOR FRITZ: Yeah, really happy. I think coming out first match, especially I wanted first goal to make it out of the group obviously. It was a super important match in terms of that.
It would have been a rough spot to lose and feel like I have to win out my next two matches if I want even a chance to make it out.
Yeah, it's a really important win.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. There's been a lot of firsts this year. How does this one rank with the other ones?
TAYLOR FRITZ: Yeah, it feels great. I'm super happy to just get the chance to play here. It's a much better way of ending my year than how I went out in Paris. It could have been the end of my year. Gives me a lot of confidence to come back, play a really good match, beat someone like Rafa.
Yeah, it's great to be here even playing this tournament. Then to come out and win is even better.
Q. A different format here. How do you prepare for starting your first match against a top seed here, whereas normally you start against a guy maybe lower ranked?
TAYLOR FRITZ: I mean, to be honest, I think I like it more because when I play the top guys, I just always play better tennis because I know I need to. I know I'm not going to get away with anything less than my best tennis.
When I have those shots on the court, Should I go for it? I'm pulling the trigger more. I'm much more prone to play a not-so-good match against a lower-ranked person who I really, really don't want to lose to (smiling).
I think it's good for me that I can come out and play the top guys. Like I said, I think I always play well against them.
Q. This is going to sound strange. On this surface, given where Rafa has been the last couple months, did you come onto the court feeling like you were the favorite?
TAYLOR FRITZ: I came onto the court thinking that if I served and returned well, that I thought I would win the match.
There's so many variables. This is a fast court. All it takes is one service game where I miss some first serves, he plays some good points, maybe I make some mistakes, I get broken. That could be the set.
I definitely didn't come out thinking that I was the favorite by any means because just with how the surface is, the littlest thing can get you broken and lose the match.
But I did feel if I took care of my serve and took care and returned well at times, found looks to break him, I felt like I had a really good chance of winning.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports