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Jill Wenlin
Tennis champion Taylor Fritz comes from quite the pedigree. He is the great-grandson of David May, the founder of The May Department Stores, and his mother was a top 10 tennis player. His father was also a professional tennis player and earned the title of US Olympic Developmental Coach of the Year in 2016.
At the age of 25, Fritz is ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 1 in the US. His ranking rose when he earned an ATP Tour Masters 1000 title after defeating Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last year. The title is huge, as the BNP Paribas Open is the largest combined ATP Tour Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tennis event in the world. The event, to be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden owned by Oracle co-founder, billionaire and tennis enthusiast Larry Ellison, is from March 6 to 19, 2023 this year.
Fritz is back again to defend his title at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in ‘Tennis Paradise’. They partnered with Maestro Dobel Tequila for special meet-and-greet opportunities with fans, and to create the tournament’s official cocktail – the Ace Paloma. Its name was inspired by Fritz’s spontaneous serving.
They chose Taylor Fritz to partner with the brand because he shares the same level of commitment, expertise and mastery in his tennis game as he does in tequila making.
Founded by 11th generation tequila maker Juan Dobel, Maestro Dobel is a modern expression of tequila with a heritage and refined craft that extends back more than 250 years. Maestro Dobel is an innovator who introduced the first Cristalino tequila to the global market with Dobel Diamante. They also offer the first smoked tequila with Humito and the first Pechuga tequila with Pavito.
Jill Wenlin
Before making Ace Paloma, Fritz shared that his serve is a big part of his game for every tournament he plays in. His competitiveness and how he competes with others is also a big part of his game.
Since he is a local boy, he has home support and confidence in this tournament. Fritz said, ‘This tournament, more than any other tournament, is very special to me.’
Mental and physical preparation is very important and he tries not to put too much pressure on himself. ‘That’s how it works with the marks and the ranks, basically every year everybody starts over. That’s how I think about it. I’m going to take it one match at a time and we’ll see how far I can go. Hopefully I can defend the title, but I had this kind of mindset last year, just keep making progress. I wasn’t thinking about winning it last year until I got deep into it,’ said Fritz.
Fritz reminisced about growing up in Rancho Santa Fe, the place he and his family used to visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden every year. “It was normal at this time of the year to watch tennis matches and hang out with my friends,” he said. ‘Every year I drive here, it’s really special. I feel really comfortable, it’s like home here, especially after winning last year. Coming to the tournament this year is extra special, I have a lot of confidence. Fritz said.
When he was asked how he stays focused before the match? “I think it is important for me to have time to enjoy and decompress so I can focus on pre-match preparation and then get ready to perform,” he added.
To prepare for this tournament as the defending champion, he shared how he likes to do the same thing the night before a match. ‘I eat the same food the night before a match. I like to warm-up two hours before my match. I like to work on my physio for an hour and a half before pre-practice. If I have a match at 1 pm, I start my routine at 8 am.
Jill Wenlin
Fans will be able to head to the Maestro Dobel Bar and Lounge, located next to Stadium 2, to enjoy table tennis, photo opportunities and cocktails featuring Maestro Dobel’s smooth range of tequilas, including two additional signature cocktails, the Spin Margarita and Contains Sliced Ranch Water. ,
Here’s the recipe for making the official Ace Paloma cocktail at home:
1.5 oz. Maestro Dobel Diamante Cristalino
2 oz. Fever-Tree Grapefruit Soda
Twist of Fresh Lime
Process: Build in a shaker, shake and pour over fresh ice into a Diamante glass. Top with Fever-Tree Grapefruit Soda and garnish with a rim of Black Lava Salt and place a Pink Grapefruit Wedge on the rim of the glass to the right. Serve.
Jill Wenlin
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