Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, used her platform this week to shed light on an issue close to her heart as she spoke out against the government’s decision to downsize the Department of Education’s Special Education division.
In a heartfelt social media video, Riddle teamed up with Minnesota Governor and former vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz to express their shared concern over what they described as a devastating move for children with disabilities and their families.
Taylor Fritz’s Girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, Speaks Up About Federal Layoffs Threatening Children with Disabilities
The issue began after multiple news agencies reported that hundreds of employees from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) were issued layoff notices, effectively crippling federal oversight and enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The department, which supports 7.5 million students with disabilities nationwide, faced immediate backlash from educators and advocacy groups. Although a federal judge has temporarily halted the layoffs, citing potential “irreparable harm,” the situation has left the future of special education oversight in limbo.
Amid the uncertainty, Riddle took to Instagram to share a deeply personal message alongside Walz. “I have never talked about this before,” Riddle said in the clip. “My little brother has special needs and has pretty severe autism.”
“It’s unfathomable how difficult it is to raise a child with special needs… I’m curious sort of like your point of view on what the Department of Education actually does because I think a lot of people don’t really understand.”
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Walz, who has advocated for equitable education throughout his career and is a parent to a child with a learning disorder, thanked Riddle for speaking out. “One of the things that has stood out in America is that everybody gets an education. So I appreciate you talking about it,” he said.
He emphasized that supporting children with disabilities is not about politics or ideology. “Including students with special needs and disabilities is not woke. It’s decent, it’s compassionate, it’s kind, it’s human,” he said. “So I’m concerned what happens to these students. Here in Minnesota, we’re going to have to do a lot of work. Here in Minnesota, we’ll continue to deliver service.”
Riddle added, “Me and Tim, if you guys have a loved one or a child or know someone who has a child with special needs, there are a lot of people who care and will continue to try to protect them and look out for them.”
In her caption, Riddle wrote, “As the oldest of four, I’ve kept my siblings completely off of social media in order to try to protect them. I was devastated this last week when I realized this is something that I can’t protect them from. My youngest brother has autism and deserves every opportunity to thrive like other children do. The Department of Education special-education programs are a lifeline for families, not an option. Kids with disabilities deserve protection and support, not cuts.”
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Riddle also shared a lighthearted clip on her Instagram Story, interacting with her younger brother, with a caption: “who is being harmed by men and their ‘politics’ btw.”
The 28-year-old influencer, who has been dating World No. 4 tennis player Fritz since 2020, has built a large following by documenting her life on the ATP Tour and sharing insights into tennis culture, fashion, and lifestyle. In this instance, however, her post stepped away from her usual content, amplifying a message of empathy and using her platform for causes that truly matter.