Taylor Fritz Smoothly Serves Dobel Tequila’s Ace Paloma

Known for his smooth serve, Taylor Fritz is America’s # 1 Men’s Tennis darling and is back at the BNP Paribas Open 2023 to defend his title win. His win defeating Rafael Nadal last year, earned him the Masters 1000 title at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters.

This year BNP Paribas Open upgraded amenities, partners and new events for the 2023 tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 6-19. This ‘new era’ of #TennisParadise features an enhanced on-site retail experience, food and beverage offerings, including Maestro Dobel Tequila, the Official Tequila of the BNP Paribas Open.

The tequila brand invited Taylor Fritz to meet fans, sign some tennis balls, and make the tournament’s signature ‘Ace Paloma.’ This “Official Cocktail of the BNP Paribas Open” is as smooth as Fritz’s serve.

A group standing near Fritz learned about how excited he is to play in this year’s BNP Paribas Open. When asked about his strengths going into this tournament, he (TF) responded with the following:

TF: For every tournament that I play in, my serve is a big part of my game. My competitiveness and how I compete is a big part of my game. What I have at this tournament that I don’t have at others is the home support and the confidence. This tournament, more than all the others is very special to me.

You grew up in San Diego, did you come to this tournament as a spectator when you were a boy?

TF: I used to come to this tournament a lot as a kid growing up. It was like a normal thing to do this time of year to come to the tournament. Either to watch and just hang out with my friends at the tournament. Every year I come here, I drive in and it’s really a special thing, I feel really comfortable, it’s like home here. So especially now after winning last year, coming this year is extra special, I have a lot of confidence.

Since you are local, you must have a lot of fans here to support you.

TF: Usually yes, and hopefully they will be here at this one.

How do you go into this game both mentally and physically?

TF: It’s really important just not put too much pressure on myself this week to defend my title.  How it works with the points and ranks, basically everyone starts over every year. That’s how I think about it. I’m going to take it one match at a time and we will see how far I can go. Hopefully I can defend the title, but that is kind of the mindset I had last year, just keep progressing. I wasn’t thinking about winning it last year until I got deep in it.

How did you partner with Dobel Tequila?

TF: It started in Cincinnati Open, aka Western & Southern Open. Obviously I don’t drink a ton, but when I do I really like Dobel Tequila.

We all watched Fritz make The Ace Paloma, a combination of Maestro Dobel Diamante, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, fresh grapefruit juice, and fever-tree grapefruit soda. It’s served over fresh ice into a diamante glass, and garnished with a rim of black salt and a pink grapefruit wedge.

How do you stay focused before a match?

TF: I think having time to enjoy and decompress is important to me, so I can focus on and get ready to focus, and feel like I am ready, and be ready for pre-match and the match. I want to focus and be ready to perform.

How do you prepare for this tournament as a defending champ on your home turf?

TF: I like to do the same thing the night before a match. I eat the same dinner the night before a match. I like to warm-up two hours before my match. I like to work on my physics one hour and half before pre practice. If my match is at 1 p.m., I’m starting my routine at about 8 a.m.

Anything you want to say to your fans?

TF: I’m hoping to see all of you here. I feel like this is the tennis hot spot for people to watch great tennis in Southern California.