"Wasn't wishing a flight home" - Taylor Fritz addresses Alexander Zverev Wimbledon controversy after initially skipping over details of net exchange

Taylor Fritz recently addressed his seemingly controversial exchange with Alexander Zverev following their clash at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships on Monday (July 8). Jokingly referring to his previous controversy at the tournament, the American said that he did not wish his opponent a “flight home” during the long conversation.

Fritz took on World No. 4 Zverev in the fourth round at SW19. The 26-year-old miraculously recovered from a two-sets-to-love deficit to hand the German his third straight loss from a winning position at a Grand Slam after his five-set exits in the 2024 French Open final and the Australian Open semifinal.

Following the 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-3 loss, Alexander Zverev had a long, seemingly controversial, exchange with Taylor Fritz at the net. When asked about the same during the on-court interview, the American brushed it off, saying he wished Zverev “the best” after the German told him about his knee struggles.

However, in his post-match press conference, Fritz revealed what really transpired between the two. He said Alexander Zverev had a complaint about his team celebrating and cheering him on “loudly” despite knowing about the World No. 4’s knee injury, which he sustained during his third-round match against Cameron Norrie.

"I think he was annoyed at some people in my box just being loud, cheering for me – which, honestly, I can’t hear; I don’t know," Fritz said.

In his interview on the Tennis Channel, Fritz further shed light on the exchange, while hilariously noting that he did not wish Zverev a good flight home.

"[Alexander Zverev] was just like, 'good match; all good.' I think he was a little upset about I guess my team members cheering for me when he was injured. But he said, you know, ‘Nothing to do with you – you’re all good,’ whatever. So I mean whatever, it’s all good,” Fritz explained.

"I wasn’t wishing him a flight home, so," he added.

The American’s remark was in reference to his controversial net exchange with Arthur Rinderknech after their second-round clash at Wimbledon. At the time, he wished Rinderknech a “good flight,” which was fueled by the Frenchman reigniting their previous feud with questionable comments before the match.

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Taylor Fritz after his Wimbledon win against Alexander Zverev: "My team's always given me so much support and love"

Taylor Fritz's girlfriend Morgan Riddle (R), his coach Michael Russell's wife (L) (Image Source: Getty)

Taylor Fritz was overjoyed as he reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon for the second time in his career, after 2022.

In his on-court interview after beating Alexander Zverev, the former World No. 5 emphasized the positive impact his team’s support has had on him. He was cheered on by his girlfriend Morgan Riddle, coach Michael Russell, and mother and former tennis player Kathy May, among others. Apart from Fritz’s girlfriend, Russell’s wife, Lilly, was the loudest supporter in the box, cheering the player to the finish line.

"My team has always given me so much support and love. Most of the time I was looking up to them I was complaining about something. But it’s great to have them here," Fritz said.

"This week or two weeks when we’ve been here at Wimbledon, it’s been a great team experience," he added.

Taylor Fritz is in pursuit of a maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. He is set to face Lorenzo Musetti on Wednesday, July 10.