An “extreme level” of superstition is aiding Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon as the world number five bids for a first major title.
The American matched his best run at the All England Club by reaching the quarter-finals on Sunday, after Australian opponent Jordan Thompson retired with injury when trailing 6-1 3-0.
After reaching his first major final at the US Open last year, Fritz hopes that sticking to a precise routine off the court can help him take the next step on it.
“I’m superstitious in a way that it just revolves [around] my routine. I don’t have superstitions on court but I take the saying ‘you don’t change a winning formula’ to an extreme,” Fritz said.
“Every single thing I’m doing, I do everything exactly the same. It’s like the second I get off the practice court, I eat, I organise my clothes, I go shower.
“Everything is in the same order to an extreme level.
“I’m a little bit superstitious, but when I repeat the same routines, it gives me confidence that I’m going to keep playing well.”
The 27-year-old was denied a first Grand Slam trophy by world number one Jannik Sinner in New York 10 months ago.
However he is in good form on the grass courts, having won titles at Stuttgart and Eastbourne in the build-up to Wimbledon.
Russian 17th seed Karen Khachanov now stands in his way of a first Wimbledon semi-final.
Khachanov – who, like Fritz, has come through two five-set matches to reach the last eight – recorded a straightforward 6-4 6-2 6-3 win over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak.