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I possess a few thoughts about that comments made by the sports network broadcaster Chris Fowler following the Serbian champion's victory over the American player during the New York major last eight. Look – Fritz is the United States, the commentator is from the US – and sports often encourage nationalism. Some letdown was appropriate. Rather, he brought up the ongoing drought of American men at the majors: none of them has won a title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and he had been the last one standing in the tournament.

Everyone love a narrative, me too. But come on. Suppose the American defeated Djokovic for the first time, force of nature Carlos Alcaraz was looming in the following match, whom Fritz has never defeated in an competitive encounter. And had he someway gotten past that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, versus him the American had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also split the previous seven major titles (plus the Spaniard proceeded to defeat a tired Djokovic in the next round). Fritz said in press after the loss that he actually preferred his draw, because it offered the chance to defeat the three best players in the sport back-to-back. Fritz is well justified to aim for the accomplishment; an athlete is meant to have faith in themselves. But going into that Serbian quarter-final what other person in their right mind had the lack of American champions in mind?

Coco Gauff’s weaker delivery the only thing standing in her way and sustained success

The American, 28, is ranked number four in the global rankings starting the upcoming year-end championships and has won his previous six encounters over third-ranked the German with increasing ease. Presumably he could take that spot for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that at present, that is as far as he can rise: The Italian and Spaniard sit a vast gap of ranking points away. His top-class serve and concussive strength on each forehand and reverse side are more than adequate to defeat the majority of opponents on the professional circuit. Against the select few generational talents, though, Fritz is often overmatched. The last several seasons has seen the curious rise of tall, gangly athletes who can nevertheless move around with the surprising speed and grace of smaller players. He is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His movement is stiff, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his limbs. So he seldom steal a point that the opponent was dictating, and hitting a soft shot against him is typically a safe bet. That acts as a quite severe limitation on his upside.

The American has made a number of dramatic, improbable advancements throughout his career. Early on of the ten-year period, he was hovering around the bottom of the world's best thirty. Two years later, he was approaching the top 10. The previous season, he suddenly surged up to No 4 – and maintained the spot. But the subsequent step, competing against and defeating all-time-greats like Alcaraz, Sinner, and including a declining Serbian, is the toughest of all. What could the commentator thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a serious threat to beat them all back-to-back? That it was worth mentioning the continuing slump of American men winning grand slams when Fritz had exited the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is just too much and the respect for the magnitude of the challenge insufficient.

Taylor Fritz achieved a personal best advancement to the Wimbledon semi-finals in the summer.

The American's play in that very quarter-final ought to have been enough of an indication. The Serbian won in four rounds, a victory that only felt uncertain for brief periods towards the conclusion, when Fritz had survived a few championship opportunities and had a chance to hold for 5-5. The duo looked well-balanced during the rallies, with the American earning numerous chances to break. But the champion saved break point after break point, extending the streak to the brink of agony. When Fritz finally did convert a single of the opportunities at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he immediately produced a horrendous game to drop serve again; Djokovic had drawn him into a skirmish peripheral to the real battle and forced him to use excessive effort to prevail. Facing set points in the last game, Fritz’s first serve floated to heaven. He prolonged the match twice on his second serve, but finally committed two errors. It wasn’t a collapse, I didn’t think, only a consequence of needing to hit an excessive number of weaker deliveries.

The match was fairly ironclad evidence that the American is not good enough to defeat any form of the Serbian, who lost to Alcaraz in the next round and never particularly seem like he believed he could win. This is perfectly fine – the Serbian is the greatest of all time, and might not be at the height of his physical powers anymore, but has acquired sufficient experience and tactical know-how to compensate for quite a bit of the decline. The issue is those who were anticipating Fritz to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was yet to accomplished anything that indicated he would.

The American is an valuable contributor to the tour nonetheless. He’s a calm, reflective voice in media sessions, more so than almost anyone on the men's tour except for the Russian star, prepared to not just say how he feels or the tactic he believed decided a match, but clarify it. That he should shoulder the majority of the blame 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 divide that burden.)

ATP Finals: Singles Groups

American legend Group

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Group

• The Italian champion
• The German powerhouse
• Ben Shelton (US)
• The Canadian talent

“I would likely dwell on it forever if I don’t accomplish it,” the American told an interviewer in June of winning a grand slam. It is hoped he realizes that he’s not a failure if he doesn’t achieve that goal, that breaking through the Spanish and Italian's young, terrifying empire is in fact extremely improbable for all other players. {