ATP Tour
Rivalries of 2025: Alcaraz vs. Fritz
Recap this yr’s 4 hard-hitting clashes between the pair of High 10 rivals
November 26, 2025
Koji Watanabe/Getty Pictures
Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz pose for footage earlier than the championship match in Tokyo.
By Grant Thompson
To mark the tip of one other thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which can mirror on probably the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and extra. This week, we’re taking a look at the very best rivalries of the yr.
4 Lexus ATP Head2Head clashes throughout 2025 cemented a budding rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz. Having met simply twice earlier than this season, the duo this yr battled at a few of tennis’ largest tournaments in fascinating showdowns, from the Wimbledon semi-finals to the Nitto ATP Finals.
ATPTour.com recaps the 4 tour-level tussles between Alcaraz and Fritz this season.
Wimbledon SFs, Alcaraz d. Fritz 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6(6)
The stress in Alcaraz and Fritz’s Wimbledon semi-final showdown reached its breaking level on the match’s climax. The Spaniard teetered on the point of being pressured to contest a fifth set when going through two set factors at 4/6 within the fourth-set tie-break, however he rattled off 4 consecutive factors to safe his spot in a 3rd consecutive remaining at SW19.
Alcaraz was using a 24-match successful streak heading into the match, whereas Fritz was contemporary off 9 straight victories, together with a title run in Eastbourne throughout a standout grass-court season. The American was unable to increase that run on the All England Membership’s Centre Court docket, nonetheless, as his anticipate a maiden tour-level victory in opposition to Alcaraz went on.
The Spaniard dictated play from the baseline, peppering in exact drop pictures and wielding a hefty second serve that stored Fritz continually on the again foot. Alcaraz elevated his degree when it mattered most and pulled no punches in tight moments, equivalent to when he surged ahead to the online whereas Fritz threatened along with his first set level within the fourth set. On his second set level at 6/5, the American was left to rue an inside-out forehand error.
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Credit score: Henry Nicholls/AFP through Getty Pictures.
Laver Cup, Fritz d. Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2
Fritz lastly cracked the code in opposition to Alcaraz, claiming his first Lexus ATP Head2Head win in opposition to the Spaniard in 4 makes an attempt, with a cushty victory for Group World at September’s Laver Cup in San Francisco.
The American was fearless in his strategy, dictating baseline play at each flip and making use of relentless strain on Group Europe’s Alcaraz by changing 16 of his 20 web factors. Within the second set, Fritz pulled away by successful the ultimate 4 video games to seal a memorable victory. A pivotal second got here within the opening recreation of the match, when Fritz fended off the one two break factors he confronted for your complete match, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.
“The 3 times I had performed Carlos, he had damaged me within the first recreation each time,” mentioned Fritz. “Getting out of that first recreation was enormous. I simply made positive I didn’t second guess myself.”
Tokyo Ultimate, Alcaraz d. Fritz 6-4, 6-4
Simply 9 days after their conflict in San Francisco, Alcaraz and Fritz stood throughout the online once more, this time on the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, the place the World No. 1 exacted his revenge.
Alcaraz stamped his authority with trademark firepower and shotmaking within the title match on the hard-court ATP 500. He overwhelmed Fritz from all corners of the courtroom and barely let up in a 93-minute victory. Fritz took a medical timeout on the finish of the primary set to obtain therapy on his left thigh, which was later strapped after three video games of the second. Struggling to maneuver effectively, the American noticed his possibilities of reclaiming the Tokyo crown, which he gained in 2022, slip away.
“I’m actually proud of the extent that I performed, with every little thing,” mentioned Alcaraz, who rebounded from a left ankle harm scare in his first-round match to carry the trophy on Tokyo debut. “Beginning the week not good with the ankle, and the way in which that I got here again from that, I’m simply actually completely happy about it.”
Nitto ATP Finals Spherical Robin, Alcaraz d. Fritz 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-3
The 2 rivals saved arguably their finest match of the season for final and the Nitto ATP Finals. A assured, heavy-hitting Fritz carried the momentum for a lot of the primary 90 minutes and held two consecutive break factors at 2-2 within the second set, having already taken a one-set lead. Then, the No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings Alcaraz turned the tables in Turin.
Essentially the most pivotal second got here with Fritz holding his first break level of the second set. He had the higher hand in an exciting 19-shot rally, however Alcaraz moved ahead — just like his tactic when down set level in opposition to Fritz within the Wimbledon semi-finals — to place away a backhand volley. Fritz had an opportunity for an overhead throughout that rally, however he elected to let the ball bounce, a call he later admitted, “I most likely ought to have despatched it out of the air.” Alcaraz ultimately held after 14 minutes, deflating Fritz’s possibilities of an upset.
All through the top quality tug-of-war match, Alcaraz and Fritz battled for baseline place, every taking dangers on return and trying to find their first alternative to play offence. However in the long run, Alcaraz went into lockdown mode with a squeaky-clean third-set efficiency to outlive.
“I used to be actually relieved after the win due to every little thing I went via throughout the match,” mentioned Alcaraz. “I wasn’t feeling the ball in addition to I used to be within the first [match], however I’m actually completely happy that I discovered a method to come again.”
