**Taylor Fritz’s Partner Morgan Riddle Deletes Social Media Posts Following Wimbledon Controversy**
American tennis star Taylor Fritz is setting his sights on a place in the Wimbledon semi-finals this week, as he prepares to face Russia’s Karen Khachanov. Fritz, noted for both his on-court prowess and high-profile romance, comes into the quarter-final stage after a commanding victory over Australia’s Jordan Thompson, who retired mid-match while trailing significantly. While Fritz offered sympathetic words to his opponent, acknowledging the Australian’s determination, Thompson expressed different sentiments in his post-match comments, playing down his own efforts and referencing his emotions around being forced to withdraw.
As Fritz advances in the prestigious tournament, keen-eyed tennis fans have noticed the continued presence of his influential partner, Morgan Riddle. Riddle, a social media personality amassing over a million followers across TikTok and Instagram, has become a fixture at Fritz’s matches, regularly captivating the camera both on and off the court. Her visibility at tennis events, coupled with her energetic engagement with fans, has even prompted the New York Times to label her “the most famous woman in men’s tennis”.
But with fame comes scrutiny, and Riddle’s candid social media commentary has not always been without controversy. Last year, during a tense Wimbledon clash between Fritz and Alexander Zverev, Riddle posted a series of videos to her Instagram stories. One video, captioned “when your man wins 4 the girls,” was widely interpreted as a veiled reference to off-court allegations that had surfaced against Zverev. Another post encouraged women to “cheer loud ladies”, further fuelling speculation from viewers and media outlets.
Zverev, the subject of drawn-out court proceedings regarding alleged abuse against the mother of his child—a case which ended with a monetary settlement but no admission of wrongdoing—appeared to take issue with the tone from Fritz’s supporters. Following the heated match, Zverev publicly praised the professionalism of Fritz’s direct team but seemed to question the conduct of those “not from the tennis world” within Fritz’s supporter box, describing some one in the group as “a bit over the top” in their behaviour.
The mounting public and media backlash led Riddle to swiftly delete the Instagram stories in question. In a subsequent statement, she clarified her intent. “Regarding my stories yesterday… I took them down as soon as I realised the misunderstanding and how blown out of proportion they had become by the media,” Riddle explained. She noted that her posts were not intended to reference anything off the tennis court and insisted there was no lingering animosity with others in the tournament. Riddle expressed pride in Fritz’s on-court achievements and thanked spectators for their support throughout the match.
Beyond the headlines, Riddle has spoken openly about the unique position she holds within the sport, challenging traditional narratives around tennis partners. “People think of a WAG as someone who follows their partner around without having their own life,” she said in a recent interview. “I came in swinging, really making my own name in this space, and am trying to actively contribute to the sport.” Riddle insists that her work, including her fashion-forward social media content, has helped introduce a younger, female audience to tennis, aiming to foster a more welcoming atmosphere for women fans.
The couple’s relationship first blossomed after meeting on the celebrity dating app, Raya, with Riddle subsequently establishing herself as a full-time digital content creator in 2022. While her ascendance within the tennis world has been rapid, it has not come without moments of misinterpretation—something she appears matter-of-fact about, seeking to move past controversies and re-focus attention on the sport.
As Fritz’s campaign at Wimbledon continues, the spotlight remains on both the player and his partner, with Riddle’s unique presence providing a modern counterpoint to tennis’s traditional narratives. Whether or not the partnership will culminate in a Grand Slam title remains to be seen, but it is clear that both Fritz and Riddle are keen to define their own legacy, both on the court and off, as the world watches on.