Indian Wells (AP) – Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat this year and lost the final at the Masters in Indian Wells against Taylor Fritz.
The 35-year-old Spaniard lost 3: 6, 6: 7 (5: 7) to the American on Sunday and ended his streak of 20 wins. The title in the $8.6 million hard court tournament is the first for 24-year-old Fritz on the ATP tour. He is also the first American since Andre Agassi in 2001 to win the Masters at Indian Wells.
“I have to hold back tears for all subsequent interviews. It’s one of those childhood dreams of winning this tournament here in Indian Wells that you don’t even believe could come true,” said Fritz. “I can’t even begin to say how incredible it is that I was able to play the way I played today, I was in so much pain,” he said of his ankle problems that arose before the game. Nadal was also in poor health, and the Spaniard had several treatments during the game.
Nadals had previously won the Australian Open and thus his 21st title at a major – a record in men’s tennis. He had also won the ATP tournaments in Melbourne and Acapulco this year.