American tennis star Taylor Fritz secured a substantial payday of nearly $500,000 for his performance at the Australian Open, but his influencer partner, Morgan Riddle, managed to eclipse his earnings through her online ventures during their week in Melbourne.
Dual-Income Dynamics at Melbourne Park
While Fritz, the world number nine, earned $480,000 for reaching the fourth round at Melbourne Park, Riddle's advertising deals, brand collaborations, and robust social media presence brought in approximately $498,000. This financial twist turned a friendly competition between the couple into a headline-grabbing story.
A Playful Premonition Comes True
Before the tournament commenced, Riddle humorously warned Fritz about their earnings rivalry. She remarked, 'You have to get through the round of 16 first, otherwise I'll earn more than you.' This prediction proved accurate after Fritz's straight-sets loss to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti on Monday.
Riddle, who boasts almost 500,000 Instagram followers, explained their dynamic, stating, 'It's almost a competition between us at Grand Slams and other tournaments to see who earns more money during the tournament. He's always encouraged and supported me. That's how we became a dual-income household.'
Public Reaction and Online Presence
The couple's financial story sparked mixed reactions on social media. Many Australians praised Riddle's unique content and entrepreneurial spirit, with one Instagram user commenting, 'Well deserved. Her content is so unique and cool that many other WAGs try to do the same.' Another added, 'Morgan Riddle is a boss woman.'
However, some critics expressed dismay at the earnings disparity. One person noted, 'Earns more on Instagram than a talented player? That only shows what's wrong with this world,' while another lamented, 'I'm a fan of them both but that is really sad. I was at the AO and it's not about tennis anymore unfortunately.'
Background and Recent Events
Fritz and Riddle first connected in 2020 on the exclusive dating app Raya during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Riddle relocated to Los Angeles. Since then, she has become a prominent figure on the tennis circuit, not only supporting Fritz but also working with prestigious events like Wimbledon and engaging with Formula One.
Earlier this month, Fritz recounted a frightening incident in London in October 2024, where he used his tennis racquet to protect Riddle from intruders during an attempted break-in at their Airbnb. Riddle documented the event on social media, sharing a photo of their apartment entrance with a caption describing the early morning scare.
During the Australian Open, Riddle's visibility contributed to a significant boost in her online following, adding more than 7,000 new Instagram followers as she captivated crowds at Melbourne Park.
