CoCo Vandeweghe Slams Taylor Fritz Over Injury Decision, Says ‘I Think It’s Stupid’

American tennis player CoCo Vandeweghe has criticised compatriot Taylor Fritz for continuing to compete despite injury concerns, saying his approach could affect the rest of his season.

Fritz has endured a difficult start to the year. The American has been managing a knee issue that has caused discomfort but has not ruled him out of competition.

He competed at the Australian Open, where he lost to Lorenzo Musetti in the round of 16. The 2024 US Open finalist then reached the final at the Dallas Open before losing to fellow American Ben Shelton.

Several analysts have suggested that Fritz should consider taking a break to avoid aggravating the injury. He is expected to feature at the Indian Wells Masters, a tournament he won in 2022.

Speaking to Tennis Channel, Vandeweghe criticised Fritz’s decision to continue competing.

"I think it’s stupid. I think it’s stupid because he had that knee injury that he had surgery on. And I know it’s a different injury and the oblique, but he’s way too young to be pushing himself through these injuries at these tournaments. I think, come a Grand Slam, absolutely. Push through it.

But he knows that Indian Wells is one of his favorite tournaments, his biggest tournament for him in his mind, knowing Taylor, as I do, growing up with his dad, Guy Fritz, as my first coach, going to the desert was his second home, and he wants to play well there. So why would you sacrifice a run of back-to-back, like he did when you are pulling up to Australia, already injured? That, to me, just doesn’t make any sense.”

Vandeweghe said Fritz’s long term fitness should take priority over short term tournament appearances as the season progresses.