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I possess a few thoughts about that remarks delivered by the sports network commentator a well-known announcer after the Serbian champion's victory over Taylor Fritz during the New York major last eight. Look – Fritz is the United States, the commentator is from the US – and athletic competitions frequently lend themselves to nationalism. Some disappointment would have been understandable. Instead, he brought up the continued absence of US male players at the majors: not one of them had lifted a title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and he had been the final representative in the competition.

Everyone love a storyline, myself included. But really. Even if the American had beaten the legend for the first time, force of nature the Spanish star was looming in the next round, whom Fritz has yet to beat in an official match. And had he somehow gotten past that, it would have been title holder the Italian, versus him the American had lost 10 of the last 11 sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also divided the last seven grand slams (and the Spaniard proceeded to defeat a tired Serbian in the subsequent match). He said in post-match interviews following his defeat that he in fact liked his draw, because it presented the chance to beat the top three competitors in the world in succession. Fritz is more than within his right to aim for the achievement; an athlete is meant to have faith in themselves. But going into that Serbian quarter-final what other person sensibly had the lack of American champions in mind?

Coco Gauff’s weaker delivery the sole barrier standing in her way and sustained success

Fritz, 28, is placed number four in the world entering the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has secured his previous six matches over No 3 the German with growing comfort. It's likely he might take that spot for himself in the future. But it’s clear that right now, that is as far as he can climb: The Italian and Spaniard lie a chasm of ranking points away. His top-class delivery and powerful strength on each forehand and reverse side are more than enough to defeat the majority of rivals on the professional circuit. Against the select few generational talents, though, Fritz is frequently overmatched. The last several years has seen the curious rise of tall, gangly players who can nonetheless move around with the surprising speed and grace of smaller players. Fritz is 6ft 5ins and appears that way. His footwork is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he’ll rarely win a rally that the opponent was dictating, and playing a drop shot versus him is typically a reliable tactic. That serves as a quite severe restriction on his upside.

The American has made a several significant, unexpected advancements over the years. At the beginning of the decade, he was circling the lower end of the top 30. 24 months after, he was sniffing the elite ten. Last year, he suddenly surged to No 4 – and maintained the position. But the next leap, mixing it up with and defeating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and even a declining Serbian, is the highest of all. What was Fowler thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to beat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate commenting on the ongoing drought of American men winning major titles when he had exited the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the respect for the difficulty of the challenge too little.

Taylor Fritz achieved a personal best advancement to the All England Club semi-finals in the summer.

Fritz’s performance in that exact quarter-final should have been enough of an indication. The Serbian won in four rounds, a win that only seemed tenuous for moments towards the very end, when the American had survived a couple match points and had a chance to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the rallies, with Fritz earning plenty of opportunities to break. But the champion saved break point after break point, prolonging the streak to the point of agony. When Fritz finally did convert a single of the opportunities at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he promptly produced a horrendous game to drop serve again; the Serbian had lulled him into a battle peripheral to the real battle and compelled him to use excessive energy to win it. Facing set points in the last game, his primary delivery sailed to heaven. He extended the contest two times on his backup delivery, but finally double-faulted. It was not a choke, in my opinion, only a result of having to hit an excessive number of second serves.

The match was fairly ironclad proof that the American is not good enough to beat any form of the Serbian, who was defeated by Alcaraz in the next round and did not particularly seem like he thought he could win. This is perfectly fine – the Serbian is the best player ever, and might not be at the peak of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired enough experience and tactical know-how to make up for a significant portion of the decline. The issue is those who were anticipating Fritz to win, and pressuring him to achieve that, when he was had not done anything that suggested he could.

The American is an valuable contributor to the tour nonetheless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in media sessions, more so than virtually anyone on the ATP aside from Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not only say his emotions or the tactic 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 the last American titlist feels unjust. (Now that Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can share that load.)

ATP Finals: Player Divisions

American legend Group

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Division

• The Italian champion
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• Ben Shelton (US)
• The Canadian talent

“I would likely think about it forever if I fail to do it,” Fritz informed an interviewer in June of winning a grand slam. It is hoped he realizes that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominant, formidable reign is in fact highly improbable for all other players. {