🔗 Share this article

I possess a few opinions about that remarks made by ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler following the Serbian champion's victory over the American player in the New York major last eight. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, Fowler is American – and sports often encourage nationalism. A little bit of disappointment was understandable. Rather, Fowler brought up the continued drought of American men at grand slam tournaments: not one of them has won a trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the competition.

We all enjoy a narrative, myself included. But come on. Even if Fritz defeated Djokovic for the first time, phenomenal talent the Spanish star was looming in the following match, who Fritz has never defeated in an official match. And if he’d somehow gotten past that, it would have been defending champion the Italian, versus him Fritz had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also divided the previous seven major titles (and Alcaraz proceeded to defeat a tired Serbian in the next round). Fritz stated in press after the loss that he actually preferred his path, because it presented the chance to beat the three best players in the sport in succession. He is more than within his right to aim for the accomplishment; an competitor is meant to have faith in themselves. But entering that Djokovic last eight match what other person in their right mind had the lack of American champions on the brain?

Coco Gauff’s weaker delivery the sole barrier standing in her way and consistent victories

Fritz, 28, is ranked fourth in the global rankings entering the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has secured his previous six encounters over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. It's likely he could take that spot for himself in the future. But evidently that at present, that is as high as he can rise: Sinner and Alcaraz lie a chasm of ranking points away. Fritz’s top-class delivery and powerful power on both front side and reverse side are sufficiently enough to dispose of the majority of opponents on the ATP tour. Against the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, however, he is frequently helpless. The past few seasons has seen the curious rise of tall, gangly athletes who can nevertheless cover the court with the alarming quickness and grace of smaller 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 steal a point that the opponent was dictating, and hitting a soft shot versus him is usually a safe bet. That acts as a quite severe restriction on his potential.

The American has made a several significant, unexpected improvements throughout his career. At the beginning of the ten-year period, he was hovering around the bottom of the top 30. Two years later, he was approaching the elite ten. The previous season, he suddenly surged to fourth place – and held the spot. But the subsequent step, competing against and beating all-time-greats like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and including a declining Serbian, is the toughest of all. What could Fowler have been thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate commenting on the ongoing drought of US male players lifting major titles when he had departed the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply too much and the appreciation for the difficulty of the challenge too little.

The American star achieved a career-best run to the Wimbledon last four in the summer.

The American's performance in that very quarter-final should have been enough of an sign. The Serbian won in four rounds, a victory that only felt uncertain for brief periods towards the very end, when the American 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 numerous chances to win the opponent's serve. But the champion saved break point after service break opportunity, prolonging the streak to the brink of frustration. When Fritz finally did convert one of the chances at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he promptly played a horrendous service game to drop serve once more; the Serbian had drawn him into a battle secondary to the real battle and forced him to expend excessive effort to win it. Facing match points in the final game, Fritz’s primary delivery sailed to heaven. He extended the contest two times on his second serve, but finally double-faulted. It wasn’t a collapse, I didn’t think, just a consequence of having to hit too many weaker deliveries.

The match was quite ironclad evidence that Fritz is not good enough to beat any form of Djokovic, who lost to Alcaraz in the following match and never particularly appeared like he thought he could triumph. This is perfectly acceptable – the Serbian is the best player ever, and might not be at the height of his physical powers now, but has developed sufficient knowledge and tactical know-how to make up for quite a bit of the drop-off. The problem is those who were expecting the American to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that suggested he would.

Fritz is an valuable contributor to the circuit nonetheless. He’s a patient, thoughtful voice in press conferences, more so than almost anyone on the ATP except for Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not just say his emotions or the strategy he felt decided a contest, but clarify it. That he ought to bear the brunt of the blame for America not spawn a men's grand slam winner since the last American titlist seems unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can divide that load.)

ATP Finals: Player Divisions

American legend Division

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• The American contender
• Alex de Minaur (Aus)
• The Italian stylist

Swedish icon Division

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• The German powerhouse
• The rising American
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I’d probably think about it forever if I don’t accomplish it,” the American informed an interviewer in June of claiming a grand slam. It is hoped he understands that he’s not a failure if he does not fulfill that objective, that overcoming the Spanish and Italian's dominant, formidable empire is in fact highly improbable for all other players. {