Taylor Fritz’s Humorous ESPYs Moment
Taylor Fritz, currently ranked No. 4 in the ATP world tennis standings, recently found himself at the center of attention for less than athletic reasons. During the after-party of the 2025 ESPYs, an annual award show hosted by ESPN, Fritz faced a memorable math challenge while under the influence of drinks.
The Star-Studded Event
The event, held on July 16, honored various sports figures, including tennis players Coco Gauff, who won the accolade for the best female tennis player of the year, and Sloane Stephens, recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. Taking a break from his pre-tournament preparations for the upcoming Citi Open, Fritz attended the celebration and indulged in a few refreshments.
A Math Challenge Under the Influence
However, the evening took a humorous turn when an interviewer posed a seemingly simple math problem to Fritz: to calculate the total amount of money from 50 $20 bills. With the alcohol still in his system, the usually sharp-minded Fritz struggled to find the answer. Normally, the 2024 US Open finalist would easily deduce that 50 multiplied by 20 equals 1,000, but under the party’s influence, he became flustered.
In a candid moment captured on video, Fritz laughed off the question, explaining his thought process clumsily before ultimately conceding defeat. “Every five is a hundred,” he noted, visibly grappling with the numbers before humorously admitting, “I’m an idiot. I was at the ESPYs, I was drinking.” As he tried to articulate his process again, he mistakenly claimed the total was $10,000 before realizing his miscalculation.
Reflection at the Citi Open
Later, during a press conference at the Citi Open, Fritz reflected on the situation, acknowledging that taking the interview while intoxicated might not have been his best decision. He expressed mixed feelings about how it unfolded, noting that despite his tipsy state, he believed he came across more coherent than expected in the video. “I was happy about that,” he said, while also recognizing that such street interviews are often traps for unsuspecting participants.
A Relatable Moment
Despite the humorous mishap, many fans found the moment endearing, showcasing Fritz’s relatable personality. His next competitive appearance will be at the 2025 Canadian Open after a quarterfinal exit in the Citi Open against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. For those who appreciate candid, lighthearted moments in sports, Fritz’s recent experience adds a touch of charm to his formidable athletic reputation.
