Vivid shades of green surround Taylor Fritz. They belong to the immaculate grass courts of Stuttgart, home of the BOSS Open: a modern tennis sanctuary nestled within one of southwestern Germany’s most historic and forward-thinking hubs. There is an elegance to the way the Swabian metropolis embraces the sport. There is a similar sense of refinement in the American tennis star standing before our lens.

The defending champion and current World No. 10 cuts an imposing figure at 6-foot-5, yet his presence feels measured, refined and incisive. Much like his thinking. Much like his tennis: shaped by a rich family legacy and the American development system, yet coloured by deeply personal influences, born both from a constant pursuit of self-improvement and from a genuine fascination with the craft itself.

For the California native, born in 1997, becoming the best version of oneself is a concept that regains meaning and substance after years of being diluted by modern rhetoric. The proof lies in his approach to the game: that of a perpetual student, despite already possessing the achievements, results and stature of an established master.

The process of fully realising his potential still appears to be ongoing. It is driven by a cerebral and strategic approach to both life and competition: unwaveringly ambitious, yet remarkably balanced. A rare equilibrium, shaped by anime, eased by gaming and ultimately rooted in an all-consuming love for tennis.

“Tennis is my whole life,” Fritz says. “I love competing. I love going out to play a big match in front of a big crowd in a big stadium and simply enjoying that moment.”  As he speaks, he reveals a natural affinity in vision and sensibility with BOSS, the brand that has made the grass courts of Stuttgart its second home, just a few miles from its headquarters.

In those words, everything seems to converge: the past, the present, and a future still pointed toward the final missing piece of a brilliant career that continues to evolve, a Grand Slam title. A future built not on distant projections, but on the ability to inhabit each moment with complete awareness.

You once said: “Being a bit delusional, in a positive way, is a good thing. When I was 14 I wasn’t that good but I was very delusional in saying I was going to, without a doubt, make it. I truly believed it and there’s no way I’d be here now without it.” How do you distinguish between positive, even seemingly unrealistic self-belief and the kind of overconfidence that sport has often shown can lead to failure?

“I think it’s very easy to find the balance. I’ve never really felt like I get too overconfident. When you have very strong self-belief and truly believe you’re going to achieve something, it pushes you harder to make it happen. I don’t think it necessarily makes you overconfident. It simply gives you the confidence to pursue something that maybe other people wouldn’t believe they can accomplish.”

You’ve highlighted that you love the mental and strategic side of the game: studying opponents’ patterns, figuring out how to construct points, and solving problems on court. How do you train and develop this crucial aspect of your tennis? And what does it feel like when you sense that you have gained a mental and tactical edge over an opponent?

“I don’t know if there’s really a way to train it specifically. I think it comes from playing tennis my whole life, playing matches and tournaments for so many years, and seeing how people behave in pressure situations. You can learn something by watching matches and watching tennis, but nothing really replaces being in the moment and competing. While you’re playing, you’re constantly trying to pick up on things, read situations, and understand patterns. Having a calm and clear mind allows me to think through those situations well. When I feel like I have the tactical edge, I’m very confident and very calm because I have a good idea of what my opponent is going to do, and I know exactly how I want to play. There’s much less indecisiveness because I have a clear picture of what’s going to happen.”

Here in Stuttgart, we are surrounded by one of modern tennis’ most iconic venues, closely connected to a brand for which you serve as a Global Brand Ambassador. What role do the environments, aesthetics and atmosphere surrounding tennis play in the way you experience and interpret the sport itself?

“It definitely adds to the event and to the experience of playing a tournament when it’s held at a very nice venue. Obviously, this is the BOSS Open, so it’s a special tournament for me. The atmosphere of the venue and the overall aesthetic of the event can make the experience much more enjoyable. It makes the tournament feel more exciting and more fun to be a part of.”

At Athleta Mag, we see every sport as a form of art in its own right. Do you ever think of tennis as an art form, or of yourself as an artist creating through your racket?

“I think there are certain shots in tennis that can definitely feel like art. Sometimes you hit a ball really well, or it’s just a particularly beautiful shot. In those moments, tennis can absolutely feel like an art form. I only really feel like an artist on certain shots: maybe a great drop shot, a slice, or something especially well executed. Those are the moments that can make me feel that way.”

Speaking about your relationship with BOSS, how much do you feel you have evolved in the way you present yourself to the world — in terms of image, style and personal expression — through your connection with the brand? And what does the message ‘Be Your Own BOSS’ personally mean to Taylor Fritz?

“I definitely think my personal style has improved a lot, especially off the court. The brand is amazing, and we’ve done a lot of great things together. For me, ‘Be Your Own BOSS’ means doing things your way, staying true to yourself, and doing everything to the best of your abilities. It’s about trying to become the best version of yourself that you possibly can.”

We believe that every athletic journey is also shaped by the passions and influences that exist beyond sport itself. How much do your interests in anime and gaming impact your tennis? Are they simply a way to relax and disconnect, or do they also inspire and influence the way you approach competition and life on tour?

“I’d probably say they don’t influence me too much anymore. A lot of the lessons I learned from the shows I watched as a kid—things like believing in yourself, working hard, and staying committed—have certainly stayed with me. As for gaming, it’s mostly just a way for me to decompress and relax.”

You’ve often described yourself as a calm and introspective person, someone who is constantly engaged in an internal dialogue. How does that side of your personality coexist with another trait you frequently highlight: your extreme competitiveness?

“I think it helps me a lot because I’m able to stay calm and focused in those competitive moments. At the same time, I enjoy letting that other side of myself come out when I’m competing. I think that’s probably one of the reasons why I enjoy competition so much.”

You recently said that you have achieved many of the goals you once set for yourself, something reflected in a remarkably consistent career that has kept you among the ATP Top 10 for years, as a leading figure in American tennis and one of the sport’s most recognizable global ambassadors. Tennis may not have been your first love, but looking at everything you have accomplished, what has the sport become for you today? And what are you still hoping to discover, experience, or achieve through it?

“For me, tennis is my whole life. It’s everything. I love competing. I love going out to play a big match in front of a big crowd in a big stadium and simply enjoying that moment. That’s what I’ve grown to love and appreciate most about the sport. As for what I still want to achieve, the answer is pretty obvious: I want to win a Grand Slam. That’s the goal I’m still chasing.”