"This is literally what Novak had been through every single match he was playing against Roger or Rafa" - Tennis fans react to Taylor Fritz being interrupted mid-point by fan at ATP Finals

Taylor Fritz was interrupted at a crucial moment in his semi-final against Novak Djokovic in the 2022 ATP Finals, as a fan shouted midway through a point. Serving for the second set at 5-4, 30-30, Fritz hit an easy backhand into the net just after a fan shouted loudly, leaving the American No. 1 livid.

Djokovic broke Fritz's serve soon after that to level proceedings, before closing out the set (and match) in a tie-break. Fritz later reacted strongly to the incident, criticizing fans who cause such unnecessary interruptions. But his comments have drawn varied reactions from the tennis fan community on social media.

"Someone just, like, flat-out screaming to purposely try to throw you off, it's not something you're ever used to," Taylor Fritz said in his post-match press conference. When it happens, it's an absolute shock. It's disgusting then."

Some fans sympathized with Fritz over the incident. There were some others, however, who highlighted that players often experience such interruptions and that they need to learn to deal with it. They also claimed that Djokovic himself has faced similar issues on multiple occasions in big matches.

"Look, Taylor Fritz, this is literally what Novak had been through every single match he was playing against Roger, or Rafa. It's not nice, on the contrary, but you need to handle such moments as well. It happens. More times to some, less times to others," a fan wrote on Twitter.

"It happened to many players and especially Novak. Not nice, not fair but it is what it is. Toughen up your mental strength," another fan opined.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans to the incident during the Fritz-Djokovic semi-final on Saturday:

Replaying the point in such situations is not a suggestion: Taylor Fritz

Nitto ATP Finals - Day Seven

Taylor Fritz admitted that replaying points affected by such crowd interruptions was not a long-term solution. He also explained why he felt that way, suggesting that he would not expect his opponent to allow the point to be replayed as he probably wouldn't do that himself.

"It one of those things. It's like what can you do? If you make a rule that you can replay a point, then the guy is just going to yell when I'm about to win a point, then we're going to have to replay. It's just going to happen the reverse way," Taylor Fritz said in his press conference.

"I can't expect anybody to be like, replay the point. In that situation, I can't say that I would do that either. I can't expect anyone to do anything differently," he added.

Taylor Fritz reached the semifinals in his maiden appearance at the season-ending championships. In the group stage of the tournament, Fritz defeated Rafael Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime, and only lost to Casper Ruud in a tough three-setter.

Fritz won three ATP titles in the 2022 season and also entered the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career.