Interview
Taylor Fritz chases Lexus Eastbourne Open three-peat ahead of grass court swing
World No.7 Taylor Fritz is the first player confirmed for the ATP event at the Lexus Eastbourne Open this June - kick-starting what we can expect to be a world-class line-up on the South Coast.
No other men’s player has had as much success in Eastbourne than the American. Fritz is the most successful ATP player in the tournament’s history, having lifted the title a record four times in six editions.
Now set to return to Devonshire Park between 20-27 June, the 28-year-old is already looking ahead to his return to the tournament that has become a home away from home, where he will going for a third Eastbourne title in a row.
“For me, I always get there and always feel like the courts are playing great,” Fritz said when asked what about Eastbourne works so well for him. “It feels good for me - I love the fact you stay very close to the courts, you can just walk over there and I’ve always enjoyed the town.
“You can just go and walk in to get dinner but a lot of things just click for me that week - I’ve always enjoyed being there.”
His comfort in and around Eastbourne has clearly translated into results, and has now etched itself a special place in his heart.
Since lifting his first title in Eastbourne in 2019, the 28-year-old has gone on to rack up an incredible 17-1 win record at the tournament, with his only defeat coming to compatriot Mackenzie McDonald in 2023.
I’ve had a lot of success there and it’s a special place for me. It’s where I won my first ever title and I always look forward to going back and being even more successful.
His four titles makes him the most decorated champion since the ATP event was introduced in 2009, and he’ll be eager to extend his winning streak at the tournament heading into this year’s grass court swing.
Fritz has established himself as one of the most consistent players on grass, having won five of his 10 ATP tour titles on the surface, including the Boss Open title in Stuttgart last year.
After capturing his fourth Lexus Eastbourne Open crown with a straight sets win over Jensen Brooksby in the summer of 2025, Fritz carried that momentum into Wimbledon where he produced his best run at The Championships to date.
The former world No.4 took down Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Gabriel Diallo, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jordan Thompson and Karen Khachanov on his way to a first semi-final at SW19, where his run came to an end against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.
Despite missing out on a spot in his second career Grand Slam final, Fritz closed out the grass court swing having firmly cemented himself as a player to beat on the surface and will return to the grass this summer as one to beat.
“I think I’m continuing to improve as a grass court player and a big part of playing on grass and doing well on it is having that confidence.
“It's a big part of why Eastbourne is one of the only Grand Slam weeks where I’ll actually play the week before, because I want to get matches in and have that confidence. It always helps me heading into Wimbledon where I’ve won matches and I feel good in my game.
“I really step onto the Centre Court at Eastbourne and always feel very confident there immediately. Whether I’m hitting on the practice courts, or playing matches on Centre for whatever reason I feel really confident.”
You can watch defending champion Fritz in action at the Lexus Eastbourne Open between 20-27 June 2026. More players will be announced soon.