The 2022 Wimbledon Championships is barely half over but Taylor Fritz played the point of the tournament in his 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3 second-round win over Alastair Gray, nailing a dive volley that has already gone viral on social media.

For the young American, it’s unquestionably the shot of his career.

“That's got to be No. 1 because especially just the moment, as well,” he said after the match. “It's a huge set point. Really, really big point to do it on, just to go full dive and hit the winner.”

Fritz had rallied from a 2-5 deficit in the second set to take a commanding lead in the subsequent Sudden Death, earning five set points in a row at 6-1. Undaunted, the British wild card saved two and was celebrating a third after making a strong forehand volley.

Ostensibly out of the point, Fritz fearlessly dove for the reply as Gray was already fist-pumping, landing the shot to seal the two-set lead.

Advertising

“I heard the crowd cheering like the point was over, but I was, like, I think if I fully lay out for this one, I'm pretty long, I was, like, I feel if I just dive at this one and fully lay out, maybe I can get a racquet on it,” Fritz explained.

“So, yeah, just dove and hit my strings like right in the middle. It felt really good, and I was just hoping I didn't hit it long, actually.”

Seeded No. 11, Fritz rode that momentum into the third round and is yet to drop a set at the Championships. With No. 6 seed Félix Auger-Aliassime exiting in the first round, the reigning BNP Paribas Open champion is the favorite to reach his first Wimbledon second week.

“I feel pretty good about my game right now,” Fritz said. “I definitely think there are some things I could be doing better, but all in all, I think that the state of my game is in a really good place. I'm hitting my forehand big. My backhand is really solid. I feel like I'm moving pretty well, serving really well.

“I'm happy, I think, that I'm in a good spot for a big run.”

After opening the 2022 season by making his first major fourth round at the Australian Open, Fritz next plays Slovak Alex Molcan for a chance to match that run at SW19.