Taylor Fritz Faces Shelton in Dallas Open Final After Injury Criticism

Fritz addresses past injury issues as he prepares to take on fellow American Ben Shelton for the title.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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World No. 7 Taylor Fritz reached the final of the Dallas Open after defeating Marin Cilic in the semifinals. However, Fritz has faced criticism from fans for playing through injuries in recent tournaments. In his postgame interview, Fritz acknowledged that there have been times when he made the wrong call by playing injured, but said he trusts his physio and believes his knee can improve while he continues to compete. Fritz will now face off against fellow American Ben Shelton in the final, with the winner earning their first title of the season.

Why it matters

Fritz's openness about his injury struggles and willingness to address fan criticism shows a level of transparency that is often lacking in professional sports. As one of the top American men's tennis players, how Fritz manages his injuries and responds to public scrutiny could set an example for other athletes dealing with similar challenges.

The details

In his semifinal win over Cilic, Fritz looked fatigued at times, indicating he may have still been dealing with injury concerns. Fritz acknowledged that he has made mistakes in the past by playing through injuries, citing an oblique injury last year that he should not have competed with. However, he said he trusts his physio and believes his knee can improve while he continues to play tournaments. Fritz and Shelton will now face off in an all-American final, with both players looking to earn their first title of the season.

  • On February 14, 2026, Taylor Fritz defeated Marin Cilic in the semifinals of the Dallas Open.
  • The Dallas Open final between Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton will take place on February 15, 2026.

The players

Taylor Fritz

The world No. 7 tennis player who reached the final of the Dallas Open after defeating Marin Cilic in the semifinals.

Ben Shelton

The American tennis player who will face off against Taylor Fritz in the final of the Dallas Open.

Marin Cilic

The veteran Croatian tennis player who pushed Fritz to the limit in the semifinals of the Dallas Open.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, I think there are times where it's been completely valid. Looking back, I had an oblique injury right around this time last year. It happened after the Australian Open, and I should not have played… So yeah, there have been times, for sure, when I've made the wrong call with it. I think the main concern, obviously, for a long time has been my knee.”

— Taylor Fritz (collegefootballnetwork.com)

“It's not something that gets better with a lot of stentitis. You need to just work through it… So I trust my physio, and we think the knee can get better while I'm still playing tournaments if it's something I can play through. I think I'm moving really well in the court this week. I don't think it's something that's hindering me this week, so I feel good about that decision.”

— Taylor Fritz (collegefootballnetwork.com)

“And yeah, the other stuff I feel like I could play through, and it's noted. I think I'd be annoyed, too, as a fan, just probably seeing someone who should probably just pull out. It seems like they're always in here.”

— Taylor Fritz (collegefootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Dallas Open final between Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton on February 15, 2026 will earn their first title of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Fritz's willingness to address his past injury struggles and the criticism he has faced shows a level of transparency that is often lacking in professional sports. His approach could set an example for other athletes dealing with similar challenges, as he navigates the fine line between playing through pain and knowing when to prioritize long-term health.