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I have some thoughts about that remarks made by the sports network broadcaster Chris Fowler following the Serbian champion's win over the American player during the New York major last eight. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, Fowler is American – and athletic competitions often encourage nationalism. Some disappointment would have been understandable. Instead, he invoked the continued absence of American men at grand slam tournaments: none of them had lifted a title since the last American champion in 2003, and he had been the final representative in the competition.

We all love a narrative, me too. But come on. Suppose the American had beaten the legend for the first time, phenomenal talent the Spanish star was looming in the next round, whom he has yet to beat in an competitive encounter. And had he somehow gotten past that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, against whom Fritz had lost 10 of the last 11 sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also split the previous seven grand slams (and Alcaraz proceeded to thrash a tired Djokovic in the subsequent match). Fritz stated in post-match interviews following his defeat that he actually liked his draw, because it presented the opportunity to defeat the top three competitors in the sport in succession. He is well within his right to aspire to the accomplishment; an athlete is supposed to have faith in themselves. But going into that Djokovic quarter-final what other person in their right mind had the drought of American champions on the brain?

The American star's weaker delivery the only thing between her and consistent victories

Fritz, twenty-eight, is placed number four in the world starting this week’s year-end championships and has won his last six encounters over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with increasing ease. Presumably he might claim that position for himself in the coming years. But evidently that at present, that is as far as he can climb: Sinner and Alcaraz lie a chasm of ranking points away. His elite delivery and concussive power on each forehand and backhand are more than enough to defeat most rivals on the ATP tour. Against the select few generational talents, though, Fritz is frequently overmatched. The past few years has seen the curious rise of lanky, towering players who can nonetheless move around with the alarming speed and grace of smaller men. Fritz is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His footwork is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his limbs. So he’ll rarely steal a point that the opponent was controlling, and hitting a soft shot against him is typically a safe bet. That acts as a pretty severe limitation on his potential.

The American has achieved a number of dramatic, improbable improvements over the years. Early on of the decade, he was circling the lower end of the world's best thirty. 24 months later, he was approaching the elite ten. Last year, he suddenly exploded up to fourth place – and maintained the position. But the subsequent step, mixing it up with and beating all-time-greats like Alcaraz, Sinner, and even a aging Serbian, is the toughest of all. What could Fowler have been thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a serious threat to beat them all back-to-back? That it was worth commenting on the ongoing slump of American men winning major titles when he had exited the US Open in the quarter-finals? The desperation is simply excessive and the respect for the magnitude of the challenge insufficient.

The American star achieved a career-best run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

The American's play in that exact last eight match ought to have been enough of an indication. Djokovic won in four sets, a win that only seemed uncertain for moments towards the very end, when the American had survived a few match points and had a chance to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the exchanges, with Fritz earning plenty of opportunities to break. But Djokovic rescued break point after service break opportunity, extending the run to the brink of agony. When Fritz finally did convert a single of the opportunities at 5-5 in the second set, he immediately produced a horrendous game to drop serve again; Djokovic had lulled him into a battle peripheral to the real battle and compelled him to use excessive energy to prevail. Facing match points in the final game, Fritz’s primary delivery floated to heaven. He extended the match two times on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It wasn’t a choke, I didn’t think, only a result of needing to hit too many second serves.

The match was quite ironclad proof that Fritz is not good enough to beat any version of Djokovic, who was defeated by Alcaraz in the following match and did not particularly appeared like he thought he could win. This is perfectly acceptable – Djokovic is the best player ever, and may not be at the height of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired enough experience and tactical know-how to make up for quite a bit of the drop-off. The issue is those who were anticipating Fritz to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not done anything that indicated he could.

Fritz is an valuable contributor to the tour nonetheless. He’s a calm, reflective presence in press conferences, more so than almost everyone on the men's tour aside from the Russian star, willing to not only say his emotions or the strategy he felt decided a contest, but clarify it. That he should bear the brunt of the blame for the United States not produce a male major champion since Andy Roddick feels unfair. (Since the fellow American is competing alongside him in the standings, maybe they can divide that burden.)

Year-End Championships: Singles Groups

American legend Group

• The Spanish phenom
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Group

• The Italian champion
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• The rising American
• The Canadian talent

“I’d probably think about it indefinitely if I don’t do it,” Fritz informed a journalist in the summer of claiming a major. It is hoped he realizes that he’s not a failure if he does not achieve that goal, that overcoming the Spanish and Italian's dominant, formidable reign is in fact extremely improbable for all other players. {