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I possess some thoughts regarding that comments delivered by ESPN commentator a well-known announcer following the Serbian champion's win over the American player in the US Open quarter-finals. Look – the athlete represents American, Fowler is American – and sports frequently lend themselves to nationalism. Some letdown would have been understandable. Rather, Fowler brought up the continued absence of American men at the majors: not one of them had lifted a title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and he had been the last one standing in the competition.

We all enjoy a narrative, myself included. But really. Even if the American had beaten Djokovic for the first time, phenomenal talent the Spanish star was looming in the next round, whom Fritz has yet to beat in an competitive encounter. And had he somehow survived that, it would have been title holder the Italian, against whom the American had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also divided the last seven major titles (and Alcaraz 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 path, because it presented the chance to beat the top three players in the sport in succession. Fritz is well within his right to aim for the accomplishment; an athlete is supposed to believe in themselves. But going into that Djokovic last eight match who else sensibly had the drought of US winners on the brain?

Coco Gauff’s weaker delivery the only thing standing in her way and consistent victories

The American, 28, is ranked number four in the world entering the upcoming year-end championships and has secured his last six matches over No 3 the German with growing comfort. Presumably he could take that spot for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that right now, that’s as high as he can climb: The Italian and Spaniard sit a vast gap of ranking points away. His top-class serve and powerful power on each forehand and backhand are sufficiently adequate to dispose of the majority of rivals on the ATP tour. When facing the select few generational talents, though, Fritz is often helpless. The last several seasons has seen the curious emergence of lanky, towering athletes who can nevertheless move around with the alarming quickness and fluidity of much shorter men. Fritz is six-foot-five and appears that way. His footwork is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he seldom win a rally that the other player was dictating, and playing a drop shot versus him is usually a safe bet. That acts as a quite severe restriction on his upside.

The American has achieved a number of significant, unexpected improvements throughout his career. Early on of the decade, he was hovering around the lower end of the top 30. Two years after, he was sniffing the top 10. Last year, he unexpectedly surged to fourth place – and held the position. But the subsequent step, competing against and beating all-time-greats like Alcaraz, Sinner, and including a aging Serbian, is the toughest of all. What was the commentator have been thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a serious threat to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate mentioning the continuing slump of US male players winning major titles when Fritz had exited the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the respect for the magnitude of the challenge too little.

The American star achieved a personal best run to the All England Club semi-finals in the summer.

Fritz’s play in that exact last eight match ought to have been sufficient of an indication. Djokovic won in four sets, a win that only seemed uncertain for brief periods towards the conclusion, when Fritz had survived a few match points and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the exchanges, with Fritz earning plenty of opportunities to win the opponent's serve. But the champion saved break point after break point, extending the run to the brink of agony. When he finally did convert one of the chances at 5-5 in the second set, he promptly played a horrendous game to lose his own serve once more; the Serbian had lulled him into a skirmish secondary to the main contest and forced him to expend excessive effort to prevail. Down set points in the last game, Fritz’s first serve floated to heaven. He prolonged the contest twice on his backup delivery, but finally committed two errors. It wasn’t a collapse, I didn’t think, only a consequence of having to hit an excessive number of second serves.

The match was quite compelling proof that the American is insufficiently skilled to defeat any version of the Serbian, that lost to the Spaniard in the following match and did not especially appeared like he thought he could win. This is absolutely fine – Djokovic is the greatest of all time, and might not be at the height of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired sufficient experience and strategic intelligence to compensate for a significant portion of the decline. The issue is those who were anticipating Fritz to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was yet to accomplished anything that indicated he would.

The American is an valuable contributor to the tour regardless. He’s a calm, reflective presence in media sessions, exceeding almost anyone on the ATP except for Daniil Medvedev, willing to not just express his emotions or the strategy he felt determined a contest, but clarify it. That he should bear the brunt of the responsibility for America failing to produce a men's grand slam winner since the last American titlist seems unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is competing alongside him in the standings, perhaps they can divide that burden.)

ATP Finals: Singles Groups

American legend Division

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

Bjorn Borg Group

• The Italian champion
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• The rising American
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I would likely think about it indefinitely if I don’t do it,” Fritz informed an interviewer in June of winning a major. It is hoped he understands that he’s not a failure if he does not achieve that objective, that breaking through Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying empire is in fact highly unlikely for all other players. {