By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Photo: Javier Suarez/Delray Beach Open
Winning an ATP title is no day at the beach.
Taking on a new look, Taylor Fritz will target a historic three-peat in Delray Beach.
More: Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from tennis
Two-time defending champion Fritz will play for a three-peat at the 2025 Delray Beach Open, set for Feb. 7-16, as the ATP event heralds the return of US Open finalist Fritz and his teammate and two-time Olympic partner. Tommy Paul.
Last February, Fritz became just the second player to win back-to-back Delray Beach Open titles in the tour’s 32 years.
Why is Delray Beach so hard to defend?
Traditionally, the tournament has drawn deep fields. Unpredictable conditions with gusty winds and a wide range of temperature changes can also pose challenges. The timing of the tournament, coming after the Australian summer season on hard courts, could also affect the pitch. Players who lose early in Melbourne can sometimes become Delray Beach wild cards.
If he defends his title in 2025, Fritz will be the first man to win the tournament three times and the 34th player since the start of the Open Era of professional tennis in 1968 to win at least one specific tournament three years in a row .
For ticket information, please visit Delray Beach Open
Maybe Fritz had Delray Beach — or Billy Idol — in mind to reveal his new bleached hairstyle — we’re guessing that’s his real hair under the baseball cap — in a couple of Instagram posts.
A dramatically different look for the Hugo Boss ambassador, who has stepped out as a model in the past.
