Taylor Fritz has struggled for form and fitness since helping the USA win their second United Cup title.
Fritz is an eight-time ATP title winner, and is currently at his career-high ranking of world number four after reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last year.
The American made a positive start to his 2025 season as well, with Fritz securing the United Cup for USA alongside Coco Gauff.
However, things have not gone so well since for the 27-year-old, with Fritz losing to Gael Monfils in the third round of the Australian Open.
Since his early exit at the first major tournament of the year, Fritz has only won two of his four matches and elected not to play the Mexican Open due to an abdominal injury.
Taylor Fritz provides fitness update after recent tournament withdrawal
Fritz made his return to the spotlight at the Eisenhower Cup mixed doubles exhibition event alongside Elena Rybakina.
There did not appear to be any signs of injury during this event as they went onto win the title, with Fritz making a US Open request to Rybakina after their victory.
When speaking in his press conference ahead of his Indian Wells singles campaign getting underway, Fritz revealed when he has been feeling abdominal pain and whether he expected it to cause him issues at the Masters 1000 tournament.
“It felt pretty good, but I didn’t think I’d have any issues just playing mixed doubles,” said Fritz. “I think a lot of my injury is, you know, it comes more into play when I’m full running, stretching, hitting, trying to hit big out of corners, stuff like that. Even during Acapulco, Delray [Beach], with the injury, I was trying to play through it.
“80% of my game is pain-free. It’s just the other 20% that kind of stops me from playing 100%. That’s why I decided to pull out of Acapulco, because probably could have forced myself through it.
“But, I mean, I don’t think I’m gonna win not playing, you know, being held back by something, and I also didn’t want to hurt it any further. So I’d say last night was good, but I kind of expected it to be.”
Taylor Fritz looks to make history at Indian Wells this year
Fritz won the biggest title of his career at Indian Wells in 2022 after beating Rafael Nadal in the final.
This was a historic moment for the Californian, as he became the first American man to win the singles title at Indian Wells title since Andre Agassi in 2001.
Fritz could look to make more history at his home Masters 1000 event this year, as he looks to become the sixth American man to win more than one Indian Wells singles title.
Two of those men went onto win it three times in Jimmy Connors and Michael Chang.
| American Player | Indian Wells Titles |
| Jimmy Connors | 3 (1976, 1981 & 1984) |
| Michael Chang | 3 (1992, 1996 & 1997) |
| Roscoe Tanner | 2 (1978 & 1979) |
| Jim Courier | 2 (1991 & 1993) |
| Pete Sampras | 2 (1994 & 1995) |
Third seed Fritz will begin his campaign for a second Indian Wells title on Saturday March 8, when he plays the winner of the match between Sebastian Baez and Matteo Gigante.