Taylor Fritz has credited his girlfriend, influencer Morgan Riddle, for playing a key role in his journey to new heights in tennis, as he reached his first-ever Wimbledon semifinal on Tuesday.

 

Fritz beat Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) to set up a tough semifinal clash with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. After the match, Fritz opened up about the motivational note he wrote to himself after losing at Wimbledon four years ago.

 

"That note was never supposed to be public," Fritz said with a smile. The note, which Riddle shared on social media, read: "Nobody in the whole world is underachieving harder than you." It was a harsh reminder for him to push himself harder.

 

Fritz said he does not hold it against Riddle for sharing it. In fact, he praised her for helping him stay focused and rise to No. 5 in the world.

 

"There's been a pretty constant results and ranking rise since we've been together," Fritz said. "I think I would have to say she's been a big help to me just kind of keeping me focused, having someone who cares and just pushes you to just do better and do the right things, be healthier.

 

"Almost like kind of just mother me in a way," he added, laughing, "with like, the diet and going to sleep on time."

 

He quickly admitted with a grin, "Yeah, that maybe wasn't the best choice of words."

 

This is the first time Fritz has reached the last four at Wimbledon. He has already won two grass-court titles this season, in Stuttgart and Eastbourne.

 

"Grass is very much so an equalizer. It can be an equalizer. So trust in how I'm playing," he said. "I truly know the way that I played the first two sets today, there's not much any opponent on the other side can do."

 

Fritz will face defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.