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I possess a few opinions regarding the remarks delivered by ESPN commentator a well-known announcer following Novak Djokovic's victory over the American player during the US Open quarter-finals. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, the commentator is from the US – and athletic competitions frequently encourage nationalism. A little bit of disappointment would have been understandable. Rather, he brought up the continued drought of US male players at grand slam tournaments: not one of them has won a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and he had been the final representative in the tournament.

We all enjoy a storyline, myself included. But really. Even if the American had beaten the legend for the first time, phenomenal talent the Spanish star was looming in the next round, whom Fritz has yet to beat in an official match. And if he’d somehow survived that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, against whom Fritz had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also split the last seven major titles (and Alcaraz went on to defeat a tired Djokovic in the next round). He said in post-match interviews following his defeat that he actually preferred his path, because it presented the opportunity to beat the top three competitors in the sport back-to-back. Fritz is well within his right to aim for the accomplishment; an competitor is supposed to have faith in themselves. But entering that Djokovic last eight match what other person in their right mind had the drought of American champions in mind?

Coco Gauff’s weaker delivery the only thing between her and sustained success

The American, twenty-eight, is placed number four in the world starting the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six matches over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with increasing ease. Presumably he could take that spot for himself in the coming years. But evidently that at present, that is as high as he can rise: The Italian and Spaniard lie a chasm of performance metrics away. Fritz’s top-class serve and concussive power on each front side and backhand are more than adequate to defeat the majority of rivals on the professional circuit. When facing the handful of once-in-a-lifetime players, however, he is frequently overmatched. The last several years has witnessed the interesting emergence of tall, gangly players who can nonetheless cover the court with the surprising speed and fluidity of much shorter men. He is 6ft 5ins and appears that way. His footwork is stiff, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his limbs. So he seldom win a rally that the opponent was controlling, and hitting a drop shot against him is usually a reliable tactic. That acts as a pretty harsh limitation on his upside.

The American has achieved a several dramatic, unexpected advancements over the years. At the beginning of the ten-year period, he was hovering around the lower end of the world's best thirty. Two years after, he was sniffing the elite ten. The previous season, he suddenly surged up to No 4 – and maintained the spot. But the next leap, mixing it up with and beating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and including a declining Serbian, is the highest of all. What was Fowler thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate commenting on the continuing drought of US male players winning major titles when Fritz had departed the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the appreciation for the difficulty of the challenge insufficient.

The American star achieved a personal best advancement to the Wimbledon last four in the summer.

The American's play in that exact quarter-final ought to have been enough of an sign. Djokovic triumphed in four rounds, a win that only seemed tenuous for moments towards the conclusion, when the American had saved a few match points and had a chance to hold for 5-5. The duo looked evenly matched during the exchanges, with Fritz creating plenty of opportunities to win the opponent's serve. But the champion saved service break opportunity after break point, extending the streak to the point of agony. When Fritz eventually did claim a single of the chances at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he promptly played a horrendous service game to lose his own serve once more; the Serbian had lulled him into a battle peripheral to the main contest and compelled him to expend excessive energy to prevail. Down match points in the last game, Fritz’s primary delivery sailed to the sky. He extended the contest twice on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It was not a choke, I didn’t think, only a result of having to hit too many weaker deliveries.

The match was quite compelling evidence that Fritz is not good enough to beat any form of the Serbian, who was defeated by Alcaraz in the next round and never particularly seem like he believed he could win. This is perfectly fine – the Serbian is the best player ever, and may not be at the height of his physical powers now, but has developed enough experience and strategic intelligence to make up for quite a bit of the decline. The problem is the individuals who were anticipating Fritz to prevail, and putting pressure on him to achieve that, when he was had not accomplished anything that suggested he would.

The American is an valuable contributor to the circuit regardless. He’s a patient, thoughtful voice in press conferences, exceeding virtually everyone on the ATP except for Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not just say his emotions or the strategy he believed decided a match, but explain 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 unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, perhaps they can share that burden.)

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)
• The rising American
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I’d probably think about it forever if I don’t accomplish it,” the American told a journalist in the summer of winning a grand slam. I hope he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying reign is in fact extremely improbable for all other players. {