Australian Open star's girlfriend forced to eat a jar of Vegemite after his win
One spectator wasn't wouldn't have been happy to watch her boyfriend make the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Taylor Fritz might have thrilled the Australian Open crowds with his fourth round win but his girlfriend was left ruing the fact she now has to devour a jar of Vegemite. The American upset the 2022 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in an enthralling clash at the John Cain Arena, prevailing 7-6 5-7 6-3 6-3 to set-up a quarter-final meeting with top seed Novak Djokovic.
And his post-match interview centred around the bizarre pledge of his partner Morgan Riddle. The 26-year-old influencer took to social media after her boyfriend had beaten Fabian Marozsan in the third round, posting pictures of herself with the caption "If Taylor Fritz wins again ill eat a jar of Vegemite on live."
Riddle was in the stands as Fritz was handed a jar of the traditional Australian cuisine by a journalist, and took great delight in reminding Riddle of her promise on the microphone. He also clarified that he would not be partaking in the stunt himself.
“I told them I was gonna win. My girlfriend thought I was too confident going into the match,” said the American, who was then asked as to whether he’d make Riddle go through with it. “That’s a big jar. Yeah. This is a big jar but I’ll give it to her, thanks.”
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The influencer responded by gesturing that she would eat a little bit from it. Fritz, also 26, then proceeded to soften his stance somewhat, telling Morgan she didn't need to eat the whole jar but “at least one massive spoonful”.
The pair have been together ever since meeting via a dating app back in June 2022. Riddle has since been a regular supporter of the world No.21, whose current showing represents his best at Albert Park.
But he faces a sizeable task if he wants to make his girlfriend eat a second jar. Djokovic was at his imperious best in his own fourth round win against Adrian Mannarino, dropping just three games throughout in an ominous warning to his rivals.
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Furthermore, Djokovic has won all eight of his previous meetings with Fritz. And on only one of those occasions, ironically an Australian Open fourth round match back in 2021, has Fritz won any sets against the Serbian icon, with that clash needing a fifth-set decider.
And the California-based player will record another first if he is to somehow prevail. Fritz is yet to make the semi-finals of a Grand Slam event, having also reached the last-eight at both Wimbledon and the US Open.