"How can you not look at John McEnroe and get super fired up?" - Taylor Fritz on captain's role during his Laver Cup win over Alexander Zverev

Taylor Fritz has spoken up about Team World captain John McEnroe's influence on him during his emphatic victory against Alexander Zverev at the 2024 Laver Cup. The win helped the World No. 7 to a third straight win over the World No. 2. The pair's most recent clashes came at this year's Wimbledon Championships and US Open.

Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev's clash, on Saturday, September 21, was an important one as Team Europe and Team World were level at 4-4 ahead of it. In the battle of two players widely regarded for their first serves, it was the American who proved superior, firing eight aces and converting three out of seven break point opportunities. Ultimately, the match finished with a 6-4, 7-5 win for 2024 US Open runner-up Fritz.

During his post-match on-court interview, the World No. 7 was asked about the role captain John McEnroe played from the bench to help him win against Zverev. In his response, Taylor Fritz suggested that simply looking at the bench and seeing McEnroe there supporting him is enough to fire him up.

"John's great on the bench just keeping me fired up. I mean how can you not look at Johnny Mac on the bench and just get super fired up to play? So, he's great at just kind of keeping me in it," Taylor Fritz said.

The 2024 US Open finalist went on to also give credit to the Laver Cup format, which allows for players to be coached not just by their captains but also their teammates.

"The whole team, it's great. I love talking, communicating during matches just kind of telling people my thought process, my strategies. I'm super analytical at everything and it's great to have people to talk to about it," Taylor Fritz added.

The World No. 7's final outing at the 2024 Laver Cup is set to be against reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in what could be a do-or-die match for Team Europe.

Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz to clash in potential Laver Cup 2024 decider

Taylor Fritz will lock horns against World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in what could be a crucial encounter in deciding the fate of the 2024 Laver Cup. Fritz and Alcaraz's match is scheduled as the second match on the Sunday, September 22, the final day of this year's edition of the team tennis event.

The first match of the final day will see Daniil Medvedev taking on Ben Shelton. If Shelton wins the match, Team World will extend its already-advantageous 8-4 lead over Team Europe. This would set up a situation where Alcaraz simply has to defeat Fritz for the European contingent to have any chance of reclaiming the Laver Cup.

The two final matches of the day will feature Frances Tiafoe facing Alexander Zverev, and Tiafoe teaming up with Ben Shelton to play doubles against Alcaraz and Casper Ruud.