Old feuds don’t rust. American Fritz surprised his opponent with a biting remark while shaking hands

These two don’t like each other very much. Taylor Fritz and Arthur Riderknech met again on the tennis court on Thursday, and it didn’t make their relationship any better. Quite the opposite. What did the match winner say to his rival after shaking hands at the net? And where did the pair’s troubled relationship begin?

The origin of the dispute

The American tennis player Fritz has been through a bit of hell. At last year’s French Open, he faced a home player who was supported by the home crowd beyond standard speeches.

Yes, that Frenchman was Arthur Riderknech at the time. The American won last year after sets of 2:6, 6:4, 6:3, 6:4 and the uneasy battle with the crowd went well for him.

Fritz then celebrated the victory with a finger in front of his lips gesture to the home fans. He earned a roar from the crowd that lasted for a long time.

The old feud before Thursday’s duel was rekindled by the Frenchman. He made a remark about Fritz’s whining. He suggested that the American shouldn’t be a crybaby.

Fritz and his revenge

A well-motivated opponent is always a big obstacle. In this case, Riderknech recognized that. He played only one set against the match favourite on the Wimbledon grass.

The traditional handshake after the match was over was somewhat prolonged. More than one tennis fan wondered what the tennis players were explaining at the net.

The winner of the match brought light to the whole situation. Fritz regaled his opponent with a sarcastic remark as he wished the Frenchman a pleasant flight home.

Riderknech still tried to resolve the relationship when he approached his opponent at the bench. The latter refused to talk to him anymore.

Fritz doesn’t forget and is prone to sarcastic remarks. A year ago, after his triumph in the aforementioned match in Paris, he did not hesitate to thank the home fans for their support.

The next opponent of the American tennis player will be Chilean Tabillo. Fritz will be a big favourite in the clash of these two seeded players.

Source: AP News, X