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I have some opinions about the remarks made by the sports network broadcaster Chris Fowler following the Serbian champion's win over the American player in the New York major quarter-finals. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, the commentator is from the US – and sports often encourage nationalism. Some disappointment was understandable. Instead, he invoked the continued absence of US male players at grand slam tournaments: none of them has won a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and he had been the final representative in the competition.

We all enjoy a narrative, myself included. But really. Suppose Fritz defeated 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 someway survived that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, versus him Fritz had dropped 10 of the last 11 sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also split the previous seven grand slams (and Alcaraz went on to defeat a fatigued Serbian in the subsequent match). He stated in post-match interviews after the loss that he actually preferred his path, because it offered the opportunity to beat the three best competitors in the sport back-to-back. Fritz is well within his right to aspire to the accomplishment; an athlete is meant to believe in themselves. But going into that Djokovic quarter-final what other person in their right mind had the drought of US winners in mind?

The American star's second serve the sole barrier between her and consistent victories

Fritz, twenty-eight, is ranked number four in the global rankings entering the upcoming year-end championships and has won his last six matches over No 3 Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. Presumably he might claim that position for himself in the future. But it’s clear that right now, that’s as high as he can climb: Sinner and Alcaraz lie a vast gap of performance metrics away. His top-class serve and concussive strength on each forehand and reverse side are more than enough to defeat the majority of opponents on the professional circuit. When facing the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, however, he is frequently helpless. The past few years has witnessed the curious rise of lanky, towering athletes who can nonetheless move around with the alarming speed and fluidity of much shorter players. He is 6ft 5ins and appears that way. His movement is stiff, as if he’s still getting used to his limbs. So he seldom win a rally that the other player was dictating, and hitting a drop shot versus him is usually a reliable tactic. That acts as a pretty harsh limitation on his potential.

Fritz has achieved a several significant, improbable advancements over the years. At the beginning of the ten-year period, he was circling the bottom of the top 30. 24 months later, he was sniffing the elite ten. Last year, he unexpectedly exploded up to No 4 – and maintained the position. But the subsequent step, competing against and defeating legendary figures like Alcaraz, Sinner, and including a aging Djokovic, is the highest of all. What could Fowler thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a serious threat to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was worth mentioning the continuing 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 insufficient.

Taylor Fritz made a personal best advancement to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

The American's performance in that very last eight match ought to have been enough of an indication. The Serbian triumphed in four rounds, a victory that only seemed tenuous for moments towards the conclusion, when Fritz had saved a few championship opportunities and had a chance to maintain serve for 5-5. The pair looked evenly matched during the rallies, with the American earning numerous chances to break. But the champion rescued break point after break point, extending the run to the point of frustration. When he finally did convert a single of the chances at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he promptly played a terrible game to lose his own serve once more; Djokovic had lulled him into a skirmish peripheral to the real battle and forced him to use excessive effort to prevail. Facing match points in the final game, Fritz’s primary delivery floated to heaven. He prolonged the match twice on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It was not a choke, in my opinion, just a result of having to hit an excessive number of second serves.

The contest was quite compelling evidence that Fritz is insufficiently skilled to defeat any form of Djokovic, who was defeated by Alcaraz in the following match and did not especially seem like he thought he could triumph. This is perfectly fine – the Serbian is the greatest of all time, and may 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 drop-off. The problem is those who were anticipating the American to prevail, and putting pressure on him to do so, when he was yet to accomplished anything that suggested he could.

The American is an valuable contributor to the circuit regardless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in media sessions, exceeding virtually anyone on the ATP aside from the Russian star, prepared to not just say his emotions or the strategy he believed decided a match, but clarify it. That he ought to shoulder the majority of the blame for America not spawn a men's grand slam winner since the last American titlist feels unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can share that load.)

ATP Finals: Player Divisions

Jimmy Connors Division

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• Alex de Minaur (Aus)
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Group

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

“I’d probably think about it indefinitely if I fail to do it,” the American 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 objective, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying empire is in fact highly unlikely for everybody else. {