Taylor Fritz Reflects on Dallas Open Final Loss, Girlfriend Morgan and Opponent Ben Shelton React

The American tennis star opened up about his runner-up finish, drawing support from his partner and praise from the tournament champion.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Taylor Fritz, the former World No. 4, recently competed in the final of the 2026 Dallas Open, where he lost to Ben Shelton. After the match, Fritz took to social media to reflect on the defeat, expressing that the loss "hurt" but that he was "happy" with his level of play throughout the tournament. Fritz's girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, showed her support by commenting on the post, while Shelton also praised his opponent's performance.

Why it matters

Fritz's performance at the Dallas Open is significant as he continues to work towards regaining his top form on the ATP Tour. The reactions from his girlfriend and the tournament champion provide insight into the personal and professional relationships within the sport of tennis.

The details

Fritz was the top seed at the 2026 Dallas Open and reached the final by defeating Marcos Giron, Brandon Nakashima, Sebastian Korda, and Marin Čilić. In the championship match, he lost to Shelton, who claimed his first title of the season and the fourth ATP Tour title of his career.

  • The 2026 Dallas Open took place from February 13-19, 2026.
  • Fritz's loss to Shelton in the final occurred on February 19, 2026.

The players

Taylor Fritz

A former World No. 4 tennis player who was the top seed at the 2026 Dallas Open.

Morgan Riddle

Taylor Fritz's girlfriend, who is a social media influencer focused on fashion and tennis content.

Ben Shelton

The champion of the 2026 Dallas Open, who defeated Taylor Fritz in the final.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you Dallas ❤️ Level is there and getting better every match. Yesterday hurts, but happy with the tennis all week. Congrats to @benshelton for an unreal fight and a well-deserved title. On to the next 🫡”

— Taylor Fritz (Instagram)

“🤍”

— Morgan Riddle, Taylor Fritz's Girlfriend (Instagram)

“🙏🏽”

— Ben Shelton, 2026 Dallas Open Champion (Instagram)

What’s next

Fritz is set to compete at the 2026 Delray Beach Open, which began on February 16, 2026, and will run until February 22, 2026. He is the top seed at the tournament and will begin his campaign in the second round following a first-round bye.

The takeaway

This story highlights the personal and professional relationships within the sport of tennis, as Fritz's girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, and his opponent, Ben Shelton, both showed their support and respect for the American's performance at the Dallas Open. It also underscores Fritz's continued efforts to regain his top form on the ATP Tour.