The MarketWatch Q&A: Rising American tennis star Taylor Fritz invests in what he knows: esports

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Taylor Fritz had the best year of his tennis career in 2019. He beat five top 10 players, reached a career high of No. 25 in the world at one point, and made $1.17 million in prize money. Not bad for a 22-year-old.

Ahead of the first Grand Slam of 2020 — the Australian Open — Fritz spoke with MarketWatch about his goals for the tournament and beyond, his investments, and his dream in high school of being a professional athlete in three different sports.

MarketWatch: You recently invested in the company ReKTGlobal. How’d that come about?

Taylor Fritz: They were looking for investors who were passionate about gaming. I looked into it and they’re the parent company of a lot of games I play, like Rogue and Call of Duty. So I was very familiar with a lot of stuff they had. For a long time I’ve been saying esports are going to blow up. I wish I had the money to invest like five years ago. Esports are going to keep growing.

MarketWatch: Do you have an investment adviser or money manager that you discussed the investment with?

Fritz: I have someone who invests my money in a safe way so it continues to grow. For this investment, I talked to a lot of people and had them look at the contracts and the fine print. But in the end it was my decision. This is the first investment I’ve done on my own.

MarketWatch: How much do you train during the off-season?

Fritz: The training never stops. I took a week off because I got really sick. But I was feeling burned out; it’s probably good I took the break.

MarketWatch: Who helps with your fitness and recovery — do you have your own physio?

Fritz: I’m with the USTA right now. They provide physios here in the off-season [at the USTA Training Center West in Carson, Calif.]. When I travel I have a full-time physio that I pay for myself. He also handles strength and conditioning.

“I have someone who invests my money in a safe way so it continues to grow. For this investment, I talked to a lot of people and had them look at the contracts and the fine print. But in the end it was my decision.

Taylor Fritz on his investment in ReKTGlobal

MarketWatch: Do you have your own chef or anyone else you pay to help give you an edge?

Fritz: I started recently to take diet more seriously. I’ve met with a lot of nutritionists and have a good idea of nutrition and what I should eat and when to eat it. I would at some point like to get a chef.

MarketWatch: What do you think separates Federer, Nadal and Djokovic from the rest. Is it in part that they can afford to hire a team of people to give them an advantage?

Fritz: Chefs and others have helped them compete at such a high level for so long. They take care of their bodies as well as they can. But they didn’t have them before, and they were still the best. They’re just better.

MarketWatch: At what age did you know you wanted to be a tennis pro?

Fritz: I always wanted to be a pro athlete. When I was younger I wanted to be the first person to be a pro at three different sports, but then realized how impossible that is. At 15 I stopped playing other sports and focused on tennis.

MarketWatch: You got to play in both the Laver Cup and the Davis Cup in 2019. What are your memories from them?

Fritz: They both were tough to lose. Davis Cup especially. It’s unfortunate how they did the groups. But I love the team events. I get more pumped up playing for a team than normal. At the Laver Cup my emotions were really high. I won a huge match that put Team World one match from winning it for first time ever. When you’re in it, you can feel how special it is. You’re so much more nervous than normal playing for a team, and you don’t want to let your team down.

MarketWatch: What are your goals for the Australian Open and for 2020?

Fritz: For the Australian Open, to make it to the second week. For the year, to be ranked in the top 15. Last year I hit 25. I know I can do it. Also to have better results at the bigger events. To make a big run at a Slam or a Masters.

MarketWatch: What are your goals for your career?

Fritz: To win a Slam, and to be No. 1 in the world.

MarketWatch: Are there parts of your game you’re working on to improve?

Fritz: Transitioning into net and finishing at the net better. Working on my return. Also working on my strengths: my serve and forehand.

MarketWatch: Career highlight so far?

Fritz: The finals of Eastbourne and winning my first ATP title.

MarketWatch: Do you do a lot to modify your rackets?

Fritz: No I just use them the way they come. I’ve been using the same type of racket since I was 12.

MarketWatch: What’s the best financial advice you’ve been given?

Fritz: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

MarketWatch: What do you not mind splurging on?

Fritz: I’m pretty conservative with my spending. I don’t buy too many nice things. If I do, I’ll buy nice clothes.

MarketWatch: What are your favorite videogames to play?

Fritz: Call of Duty, Fortnite, FIFA

MarketWatch: I read that your mantra is “I don’t lose third-set tiebreakers.” When did you start saying it?

Fritz: I’ve always been pretty good under pressure. My record as a pro in third-set tiebreakers speaks for itself. I don’t get nervous. When the pressure is on, I play better. I trust myself. And if I know my opponent is nervous, it’s easier for me to read them.

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