Taylor Fritz, a renowned name in the world of tennis, was born on 28th October 1997 to Guy Henry Fritz and Kathy May in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Both his parents were professional tennis players, which undoubtedly had a significant influence on Fritz’s career.
Kathy May: A Tennis Star of the 70s
Kathy May, Fritz’s mother, was a successful professional tennis player who broke into the top 10 in the late 1970s. She came from a wealthy Jewish family. Her father, the late David May II, inherited the May Company Department Stores Co. (now Macy’s), and her maternal step-grandfather Mervyn LeRoy was a famous film director who produced The Wizard of Oz.
Despite her affluent background, Kathy achieved fame through her merit in tennis. She won her first WTA title in September 1973 and her seventh and last singles title in September 1976 in three sets over Brigitte Cuypers of South Africa. In 1977 and 1978, she reached the quarter-finals of the French Open; in 1978, she exited the US Open at the quarter-final stage. Kathy May broke into the top 10 in 1977, achieving a career-high ranking of world no. 10.
Taylor Fritz’s Father & Mother
| Name | Role | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Kathy May | Mother, Former Professional Tennis Player | Broke into the top 10 in the late 1970s, won seven WTA titles |
| Guy Fritz | Father, Former Professional Tennis Player and Coach | Led Taylor Fritz to a junior US Open title in 2015, awarded the US Olympic Development Coach of the Year in 2016 |
| Taylor Fritz | Professional Tennis Player | Won the 2015 US Open (junior), first American player to acquire the top 5 position in the ranking list after Andy Roddick, helped the United States win the 2023 United Cup |
Guy Fritz: A Successful Coach
Guy Henry Fritz, Taylor Fritz’s father, also played professional tennis but found more success as a coach. He led his son to a junior US Open title in 2015. Guy Henry Fritz also helped Coco Vandeweghe to a junior US Open title in 2008. For his role in mentoring young talent, he was awarded the US Olympic Development Coach of the Year in 2016.
Taylor Fritz: A Rising Star
Taylor first picked up the tennis racket when he was two years old. He also played baseball, basketball, and soccer, which, according to Kathy, benefited his career years later. Guy did most of the tennis coaching, but both parents contributed when making important decisions and guiding Taylor’s professional path.
Fritz’s rise to the top of the game has been slow and steady. After a fantastic junior career, during which he won the 2015 US Open and was a finalist at the 2015 French Open, he switched over to the ATP tour. He became the first American player to acquire the top 5 position in the ranking list after Andy Roddick.
His 2023 notable achievements include helping the United States win the 2023 United Cup, three consecutive Masters finals, and registering his 200th win by defeating top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2023 Monte Carlo.
Taylor’s Wife and Kids
Taylor was married to Raquel Pedraza, a professional tennis player herself. The couple got married at a young age of 18 in 2016. Raquel Pedraza, born on 28th January in Fountain Valley, California, started playing tennis at the young age of 5. She chose to focus on tennis over her other talents like dancing, singing, etc.
Taylor proposed to Raquel in front of the Eiffel tower in Paris, France in 2016. They welcomed their firstborn, Jordan, in January 2017. Following this, Raquel took a break from tennis to take care of their child. However, the couple parted ways in December 2019 after almost a three-year relationship and two years together in parenthood
Fritz’s success in tennis can be attributed to his talent, hard work, and the guidance of his parents, both of whom were professional tennis players. His journey is a testament to the power of family support and the importance of nurturing talent from a young age.
