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I possess a few thoughts about that remarks made by ESPN broadcaster a well-known announcer following Novak Djokovic's victory over the American player in the US Open quarter-finals. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, Fowler is American – and athletic competitions frequently encourage nationalism. Some letdown was understandable. Instead, Fowler brought up the continued drought of American men at grand slam tournaments: not one of them had lifted a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and he had been the final representative in the tournament.

Everyone love a storyline, myself included. But come on. Even if Fritz defeated Djokovic for the first time, phenomenal talent the Spanish star was looming in the next round, who he has never defeated 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. The two young stars had also divided the previous seven major titles (and Alcaraz went on to thrash a tired Djokovic in the subsequent match). He said in post-match interviews following his defeat that he in fact liked his draw, because it offered the opportunity to defeat the top three competitors in the sport in succession. Fritz is more than within his right to aspire to the accomplishment; an competitor is meant to have faith in themselves. But entering that Serbian last eight match what other person in their right mind had the lack of American champions in mind?

The American star's second serve the only thing standing in her way and consistent victories

Fritz, 28, is ranked fourth in the global rankings starting the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has secured his previous six encounters over third-ranked the German with increasing ease. Presumably he might take that spot for himself in the future. But evidently that right now, that is as high as he can climb: Sinner and Alcaraz sit a vast gap of performance metrics away. His top-class serve and powerful strength on each front side and backhand are more than adequate to dispose of most opponents on the ATP tour. Against the handful of generational talents, though, Fritz is frequently helpless. The past few seasons has witnessed the curious emergence of lanky, towering athletes who can nonetheless move around with the surprising speed and fluidity of much shorter men. He is six-foot-five 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 other player was controlling, and hitting a drop shot versus him is usually a reliable tactic. That serves as a quite harsh limitation on his potential.

The American has achieved a several dramatic, unexpected advancements throughout his career. At the beginning of the decade, he was hovering around the bottom of the top 30. Two years later, he was approaching the elite ten. Last year, he unexpectedly exploded to fourth place – and maintained the position. But the next leap, competing against and beating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and including a aging Djokovic, is the toughest of all. What could Fowler have been thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate mentioning the ongoing drought of US male players lifting grand slams when he had exited the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the respect for the difficulty of the task too little.

Taylor Fritz made a career-best run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

Fritz’s play in that very last eight match should have been enough of an sign. The Serbian triumphed in four sets, a win that only seemed uncertain for brief periods towards the very end, when the American had saved a few championship opportunities and had a opportunity to maintain serve for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the exchanges, with the American creating plenty of chances to break. But Djokovic saved break point after break point, extending the streak to the point of frustration. When Fritz eventually did claim a single of the chances at 5-5 in the second set, he immediately played a terrible game to drop serve once more; the Serbian had lulled him into a battle peripheral to the real battle and forced him to expend excessive effort to prevail. Down match points in the last game, Fritz’s first serve sailed to heaven. He prolonged the contest two times on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It was not a collapse, in my opinion, only a result of needing to hit an excessive number of second serves.

The contest was quite compelling evidence that the American is insufficiently skilled to defeat any version of Djokovic, that was defeated by Alcaraz in the next round and never particularly seem like he believed he could win. This is absolutely fine – the Serbian is the best player ever, and may not be at the peak of his physical powers now, but has acquired enough knowledge and tactical know-how to make up for quite a bit of the decline. The issue is the individuals who were anticipating Fritz to win, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not done anything that indicated he would.

The American is an asset to the circuit regardless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in press conferences, exceeding virtually everyone on the men's tour except for Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not only say his emotions or the strategy he believed decided a match, but clarify it. That he ought to shoulder the majority of the responsibility for the United States not spawn a men's grand slam winner since the last American titlist seems unjust. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the rankings, perhaps they can share that burden.)

Year-End Championships: Player Divisions

Jimmy Connors Group

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

Swedish icon Division

• The Italian champion
• The German powerhouse
• Ben Shelton (US)
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I’d probably think about it forever if I fail to accomplish it,” Fritz informed a journalist in June of winning a grand slam. I hope he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that breaking through the Spanish and Italian's young, terrifying empire is in fact highly improbable for all other players. {