Taylor Fritz picks the players with best forehand, backhand, serve & return on tour, surprisingly leaves out the Big 3

Taylor Fritz has faced Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal a combined eight times on tour. Despite this, he did not pick their names when asked to choose the best shots he has faced in his career during a press conference at the ongoing Indian Wells Masters.

The American trails Federer 0-2 in the head-to-head and has lost all five of his meetings against Djokovic. Rafael Nadal won their solitary meeting at the 2020 Mexican Open.

Many regard Federer's forehand as the best in the game's history, while the same is said about Nadal on clay. Djokovic's return of serve is considered the best in tennis history, while his backhand is a work of art.

However, Fritz went with Matteo Berrettini's forehand when asked to name the best forehand he's faced. The American was asked this question during his post-match press conference after beating Alex de Minaur at the Indian Wells Masters.

Q. Forehand?

TAYLOR FRITZ: Berrettini.

Fritz went for Nikoloz Basilashvili's backhand and David Goffin's return.

Q. Backhand?

TAYLOR FRITZ: Basilashvili.

Q. Return?

TAYLOR FRITZ: Goffin.

The American also chose Reilly Opelka's serve and Alex de Minaur's speed.

Taylor Fritz picks Rafael Nadal for mental toughness

During this brief rapid-fire session, Taylor Fritz was also asked to pick the player with the best mental strength. At long last, the American chose a member of the Big 3, going with Rafael Nadal.

Q. Mental toughness?

FRITZ: Rafa.

Fritz will lock horns with Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells Masters on Friday. This is the second straight year the American has made the last eight of the Californian event, having finished as a semifinalist in the 2021 edition.

He leads Kecmanovic 1-0 in the head-to-head and will back himself against the Serb. The American, ranked in the top 20, has been in good form through the 2022 season, reaching the second week of a Slam for the first time at the Australian Open.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal will square off against Nick Kyrgios in the last eight. Nadal progressed to the quarterfinals after ousting home hope Reilly Opelka 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in the fourth round on Wednesday.

Kyrgios, on his part, received a walkover from Jannik Sinner in his fourth-round match after the Italian withdrew due to illness.