Taylor Fritz credits high pain tolerance for Indian Wells success

Taylor Fritz said his stubborn streak and a high pain tolerance helped him win the Indian Wells title on Sunday after an ankle injury almost forced the American to pull out of the final against Rafael Nadal. Fritz overcame excruciating pain to snap Nadal's 20-match winning run with a 6-3 7-6(5) victory in the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, becoming the first American to capture the crown since Andre Agassi over two decades ago.

"I'm an extremely stubborn person. I also think I have a very high pain tolerance and not a lot of regard for potentially damaging myself worse if I think there's a chance to get on the court and play," said Fritz, who suffered the injury on Saturday.

Read AlsoTaylor Fritz hands Rafael Nadal first 2022 defeat to lift Indian Wells trophy

Taylor Fritz stunned Rafael Nadal 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) on Sunday to win the ATP Indian Wells Masters and end the 21-time Grand Slam champion's perfect 20-0 run to start 2022.

"It's probably a lot of not-so-good things that get me on court. I was thinking about what I was going to have to say to the crowd if I pulled out ... It takes a lot to get me to not take the court."

Fritz had shown similar resilience last year when he returned at Wimbledon following knee surgery, only a month after exiting the French Open in a wheelchair due to injury.

Read AlsoSad Rafael Nadal contemplates new injury concern as claycourt season looms

Rafael Nadal is facing renewed injury concerns after his 20-0 unbeaten run to start 2022 ended with a straight-sets defeat to 20th-ranked Taylor Fritz in the ATP Indian Wells Masters final.

The 24-year-old told reporters he had gone against the advice of some members of his team by facing Nadal on Sunday.

"I went to the doctor. We did a lot of work