🔗 Share this article

I possess some thoughts about that comments made by ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler following the Serbian champion's victory over Taylor Fritz in the US Open last eight. Consider – Fritz is American, Fowler is from the US – and athletic competitions often lend themselves to nationalism. A little bit of letdown was understandable. Rather, Fowler invoked the continued absence of US male players at the majors: not one of them had lifted a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and Fritz had been the final representative in the competition.

We all enjoy a storyline, myself included. But come on. Even if the American had beaten the legend for the first time, force of nature Carlos Alcaraz was looming in the next round, who Fritz has never defeated in an competitive encounter. And had he someway gotten past that, it would have been defending champion the Italian, versus him the American had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. The two young stars had also divided the previous seven major titles (and the Spaniard went on to defeat a tired Djokovic in the next round). He stated in post-match interviews following his defeat that he actually preferred his draw, because it offered the opportunity to defeat the top three players in the sport in succession. He is more than within his right to aim for the accomplishment; an athlete is meant to believe in themselves. But entering that Djokovic quarter-final what other person sensibly had the drought of American champions in mind?

The American star's weaker delivery the sole barrier between her and sustained success

Fritz, 28, is ranked number four in the global rankings starting this week’s ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six matches over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with increasing ease. It's likely he might claim that position for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that at present, that is as far as he can rise: The Italian and Spaniard sit a vast gap of ranking points away. Fritz’s elite delivery and powerful power on both front side and backhand are sufficiently adequate to defeat most opponents on the professional circuit. Against the handful of once-in-a-lifetime players, though, he is often helpless. The last several seasons has witnessed the curious rise of tall, gangly athletes who can nevertheless cover the court with the surprising speed and fluidity of smaller men. He is six-foot-five and looks it. His movement is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he’ll rarely steal a point that the opponent was controlling, and hitting a drop shot versus him is usually a reliable tactic. That acts as a pretty severe limitation on his upside.

The American has made a several dramatic, unexpected improvements throughout his career. Early on of the ten-year period, he was circling the bottom of the top 30. 24 months later, he was sniffing the top 10. Last year, he unexpectedly surged to No 4 – and held the spot. But the subsequent step, mixing it up with and defeating all-time-greats like the young Spaniard, the Italian, and including a declining Djokovic, is the toughest of all. What could Fowler thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to beat them all back-to-back? That it was worth mentioning the ongoing drought of American men lifting major titles when Fritz had departed the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is just excessive and the appreciation for the difficulty of the task too little.

Taylor Fritz achieved a personal best run to the Wimbledon last four in July.

Fritz’s performance in that exact quarter-final should have been sufficient of an sign. Djokovic won in four rounds, a victory that only seemed tenuous for moments towards the conclusion, when the American had saved a few championship opportunities and had a opportunity to maintain serve for 5-5. The pair appeared evenly matched during the rallies, with the American creating numerous chances to break. But the champion saved service break opportunity after service break opportunity, extending the run to the brink of agony. When he finally did convert one of the chances at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he immediately produced a horrendous service game to lose his own serve once more; Djokovic had drawn him into a skirmish secondary to the main contest and compelled him to use excessive energy to prevail. Facing set points in the final game, his primary delivery floated to the sky. He prolonged the match twice on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It was not a choke, in my opinion, only a consequence of having to hit an excessive number of weaker deliveries.

The match was fairly compelling proof that Fritz is not good enough to defeat any version of Djokovic, that was defeated by the Spaniard in the following match and did not particularly appeared like he believed he could win. This is perfectly acceptable – Djokovic is the greatest of all time, and might not be at the height of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired enough experience and tactical know-how to compensate for quite a bit of the decline. The problem is the individuals who were expecting the American to prevail, and putting pressure on him to do so, when he was had not done anything that suggested he could.

The American is an valuable contributor to the circuit nonetheless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in media sessions, exceeding virtually anyone on the men's tour except for the Russian star, willing to not just express how he feels or the strategy he felt decided a contest, but clarify it. That he should bear the brunt of the responsibility for the United States not spawn a men's grand slam winner since Andy Roddick seems unfair. (Now that Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the rankings, perhaps they can divide that burden.)

Year-End Championships: Player Divisions

American legend Group

• The Spanish phenom
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• Alex de Minaur (Aus)
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Group

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• The German powerhouse
• Ben Shelton (US)
• The Canadian talent

“I’d probably dwell on it indefinitely if I don’t do it,” Fritz told a journalist in June of claiming a major. It is hoped he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominant, formidable reign is in fact extremely unlikely for all other players. {