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I have some opinions regarding that remarks delivered by ESPN broadcaster a well-known announcer following the Serbian champion's victory over Taylor Fritz in the New York major quarter-finals. Consider – Fritz is American, the commentator is American – and sports frequently encourage nationalism. Some disappointment would have been appropriate. Instead, he brought up the continued absence of American men at grand slam tournaments: not one of them had lifted a title since the last American champion in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the tournament.

We all enjoy a narrative, me too. But really. Suppose Fritz had beaten the legend for the first time, force of nature Carlos Alcaraz was looming in the following match, who Fritz has never defeated in an official match. And had he somehow survived that, it would have been title holder the Italian, against whom the American had lost 10 of the last 11 sets. The two young stars had also split the previous seven major titles (plus the Spaniard proceeded to thrash a tired Serbian in the subsequent match). He stated in post-match interviews following his defeat that he actually liked his draw, because it offered the opportunity to defeat the top three competitors in the world in succession. He is well within his right to aim for the achievement; an athlete is meant to believe in themselves. But going into that Djokovic quarter-final who else in their right mind had the drought of US winners on the brain?

The American star's second serve the only thing between her and sustained success

Fritz, 28, is placed number four in the global rankings entering this week’s ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six matches over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. Presumably he could claim that position for himself in the future. But it’s clear that right now, that is as high as he can climb: The Italian and Spaniard sit a chasm of ranking points away. His top-class serve and powerful power on both forehand and backhand are more than enough to dispose of the majority of opponents on the professional circuit. Against the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, however, Fritz is frequently overmatched. The past few seasons has witnessed the interesting emergence of tall, gangly athletes who can nevertheless move around with the alarming speed and grace of much shorter players. He is six-foot-five and appears that way. His movement is rigid, as if he’s still getting used to his legs. So he’ll rarely win a rally that the other player was dictating, and hitting a soft shot versus him is usually a safe bet. That serves as a pretty severe limitation on his potential.

Fritz has achieved a several significant, unexpected advancements throughout his career. Early on of the ten-year period, he was circling the lower end of the top 30. Two years later, he was sniffing the top 10. Last year, he suddenly exploded to No 4 – and held the spot. But the next leap, competing against and beating all-time-greats like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and including a declining Djokovic, is the toughest of all. What was Fowler thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a serious threat to beat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate mentioning the ongoing drought of US male players winning grand slams when Fritz had departed the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the appreciation for the difficulty of the challenge insufficient.

Taylor Fritz made a career-best run to the All England Club semi-finals in July.

The American's performance in that exact last eight match should have been enough of an sign. The Serbian triumphed in four sets, a victory that only seemed uncertain for moments towards the very end, when the American had saved a couple match points and had a chance to hold for 5-5. The duo looked well-balanced during the rallies, with the American earning numerous opportunities to break. But Djokovic saved service break opportunity after service break opportunity, extending the streak to the brink of frustration. When he finally did claim one of the opportunities at 5-5 in the second set, he immediately played a horrendous game to lose his own serve again; the Serbian had lulled him into a battle peripheral to the real battle and compelled him to expend far too much effort to win it. Down match points in the last game, his primary delivery sailed to heaven. He prolonged the match two times on his backup delivery, but finally committed two errors. It wasn’t a choke, I didn’t think, just a result of having to hit too many second serves.

The contest was fairly ironclad evidence that Fritz is insufficiently skilled to defeat any form of Djokovic, that was defeated by the Spaniard in the following match and never especially seem like he believed he could win. This is perfectly fine – Djokovic is the best player ever, and might not be at the height of his physical powers now, but has developed enough knowledge and strategic intelligence to make up for a significant portion of the drop-off. The issue is those who were expecting Fritz to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was yet to accomplished anything that suggested he could.

The American is an valuable contributor to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, thoughtful voice in media sessions, more so than almost anyone on the men's tour except for Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not just say his emotions or the tactic he felt determined a contest, but clarify it. That he should bear the brunt of the responsibility for the United States not spawn a male major champion since Andy Roddick feels unjust. (Now that the fellow American is competing alongside him in the standings, perhaps they can divide that burden.)

ATP Finals: Singles Groups

American legend Group

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• The American contender
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Swedish icon Division

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• The rising American
• The Canadian talent

“I would likely think about it forever if I fail to do it,” the American informed an interviewer in June of winning a grand slam. It is hoped he understands that he’s not a failure if he does not achieve that objective, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying empire is in fact highly improbable for all other players. {