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I possess some thoughts regarding that comments delivered by ESPN commentator Chris Fowler after Novak Djokovic's victory over the American player in the US Open quarter-finals. Look – the athlete represents the United States, Fowler is American – and athletic competitions often encourage patriotic sentiment. Some disappointment would have been understandable. Instead, he brought up the continued drought of US male players at the majors: not one of them had lifted a trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the final representative in the tournament.

We all love a narrative, myself included. But really. Even if the American defeated Djokovic for the first time, phenomenal talent the Spanish star was looming in the next round, who Fritz has yet to beat in an competitive encounter. And had he someway gotten past that, it would have been defending champion Jannik Sinner, versus him Fritz had dropped 10 of the last 11 sets. The two young stars had also divided the last seven major titles (and Alcaraz proceeded to defeat a fatigued Djokovic in the next round). He stated in press following his defeat that he in fact liked his path, because it presented the chance to beat the top three competitors in the sport in succession. Fritz is more than within his right to aspire to the achievement; an athlete is meant to believe in themselves. But entering that Serbian last eight match what other person sensibly had the drought of US winners in mind?

The American star's second serve the sole barrier between her and consistent victories

Fritz, 28, is ranked number four in the world entering the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has secured his previous six encounters over No 3 the German with increasing ease. Presumably he could claim that position for himself in the future. But evidently that at present, that is as high as he can rise: The Italian and Spaniard lie a chasm of ranking points away. His top-class serve and powerful strength on both forehand and reverse side are sufficiently adequate to defeat the majority of opponents on the ATP tour. Against the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, however, Fritz is frequently overmatched. The last several years has witnessed the curious rise of lanky, towering players who can nevertheless cover the court with the alarming speed and fluidity of much shorter men. Fritz is six-foot-five and appears that way. His footwork is stiff, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he seldom win a rally that the other player was controlling, and hitting a drop shot versus him is typically a reliable tactic. That acts as a quite harsh limitation on his upside.

The American has made a several significant, improbable advancements over the years. At the beginning of the decade, he was circling the bottom of the world's best thirty. Two years after, he was approaching the elite ten. The previous season, he unexpectedly exploded up to fourth place – and held the spot. But the subsequent step, competing against and defeating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, the Italian, and including a declining Djokovic, is the highest of all. What could Fowler have been thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a serious threat to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was worth commenting on the ongoing slump of American men winning major titles when Fritz had exited the New York major in the quarter-finals? The desperation is just too much and the appreciation for the magnitude of the task insufficient.

Taylor Fritz achieved a career-best run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in the summer.

Fritz’s performance in that very last eight match should have been sufficient of an sign. The Serbian triumphed in four sets, a win that only felt tenuous for moments towards the conclusion, when Fritz had survived a few championship opportunities and had a chance to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the exchanges, with the American creating numerous opportunities to break. But Djokovic saved break point after service break opportunity, extending the run to the brink of agony. When Fritz finally did claim one of the chances at 5-5 in the second set, he promptly played a terrible game to lose his own serve again; the Serbian had drawn him into a battle peripheral to the real battle and compelled him to expend excessive energy to win it. Facing set points in the last game, his primary delivery sailed to heaven. He extended the match twice on his backup delivery, but finally double-faulted. It was not a choke, I didn’t think, only a consequence of needing to hit an excessive number of second serves.

The contest was quite compelling proof that Fritz is not good enough to defeat any form of Djokovic, who was defeated by the Spaniard in the next round and never particularly appeared like he believed he could win. This is absolutely acceptable – the Serbian is the best player ever, and might not be at the height of his physical powers anymore, but has developed sufficient experience and tactical know-how to make up for a significant portion of the decline. The problem is the individuals who were anticipating Fritz to win, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that suggested he would.

Fritz is an valuable contributor to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, reflective voice in press conferences, more so than virtually anyone on the ATP aside from the Russian star, willing to not only say how he feels or the tactic he believed determined a contest, but explain it. That he should bear the brunt of the blame for America failing to produce a male major champion since Andy Roddick feels unjust. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can divide that load.)

ATP Finals: Singles Groups

American legend Division

• The Spanish phenom
• The American contender
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Division

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• Ben Shelton (US)
• The Canadian talent

“I would likely dwell on it forever if I fail to accomplish it,” Fritz informed an interviewer in June of claiming a grand slam. I hope he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that breaking through the Spanish and Italian's young, terrifying empire is in fact highly unlikely for everybody else. {