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I have a few thoughts about that remarks made by ESPN commentator Chris Fowler after the Serbian champion's victory over the American player during the New York major last eight. Consider – the athlete represents American, the commentator is from the US – and sports often encourage nationalism. Some disappointment would have been understandable. Rather, Fowler invoked the ongoing drought of US male players at grand slam tournaments: none of them has won a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the competition.

Everyone enjoy a narrative, me too. But come on. Suppose Fritz had beaten the legend for the first time, phenomenal talent Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the following match, who he has yet to beat in an official match. And had he somehow gotten past that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, versus him the American had dropped 10 of the last 11 sets. The two young stars had also divided the previous seven major titles (plus the Spaniard proceeded to thrash a tired Serbian in the next round). Fritz stated in press after the loss that he actually preferred his draw, because it offered the chance to beat the top three players in the sport in succession. He is more than justified to aim for the accomplishment; an competitor is supposed to believe in themselves. But going into that Djokovic last eight match what other person sensibly had the lack of US winners in mind?

The American star's second serve the sole barrier standing in her way and consistent victories

The American, 28, is ranked number four in the global rankings starting the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six encounters over No 3 Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. Presumably he might claim that position for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that right now, that is as high as he can rise: Sinner and Alcaraz sit a chasm of ranking points away. His elite serve and concussive power on each front side and reverse side are sufficiently adequate to dispose of most opponents on the professional circuit. When facing the handful of generational talents, though, Fritz is often helpless. The past few seasons has seen the interesting emergence of lanky, towering athletes who can nevertheless cover the court with the surprising speed and grace of smaller players. Fritz is 6ft 5ins and appears that way. His movement is stiff, as if he’s still getting used to his legs. So he seldom win a rally that the opponent was controlling, and hitting a soft shot versus him is typically a reliable tactic. That acts as a quite severe limitation on his upside.

The American has achieved a number of dramatic, unexpected improvements throughout his career. At the beginning of the decade, he was hovering around the bottom of the top 30. Two years after, he was sniffing the top 10. Last year, he unexpectedly exploded to No 4 – and maintained the position. But the subsequent step, mixing it up with and beating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, the Italian, and including a aging Serbian, is the toughest of all. What was Fowler have been thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a serious threat to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was worth commenting on the continuing slump of US male players winning major titles when he had departed the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is just excessive and the respect for the difficulty of the task insufficient.

Taylor Fritz achieved a personal best run to the Wimbledon last four in the summer.

The American's performance in that very quarter-final ought to have been sufficient of an indication. Djokovic won in four rounds, a win that only felt uncertain for moments towards the very end, when the American had saved a few match points and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The pair appeared evenly matched during the exchanges, with the American creating numerous chances to break. But Djokovic rescued break point after break point, extending the run to the brink of agony. When Fritz eventually did convert a single of the opportunities at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he promptly produced a horrendous game to lose his own serve once more; the Serbian had lulled him into a skirmish peripheral to the main contest and compelled him to use far too much effort to win it. Facing match points in the final game, Fritz’s first serve sailed to heaven. He extended the match twice on his backup delivery, but finally double-faulted. It was not a choke, in my opinion, just a consequence of needing to hit an excessive number of weaker deliveries.

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 next round and did not especially appeared like he believed he could triumph. This is perfectly fine – Djokovic is the greatest of all time, and might not be at the height of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired sufficient experience and tactical know-how to compensate for a significant portion of the drop-off. The problem is those who were expecting the American to prevail, and putting pressure on him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that indicated he would.

The American is an asset to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in press conferences, exceeding almost everyone on the ATP aside from the Russian star, prepared to not only express his emotions or the tactic he felt decided a contest, but explain it. That he should bear the brunt of the blame for the United States failing to produce a male major champion since the last American titlist feels unjust. (Now that Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can divide that load.)

Year-End Championships: Player Divisions

American legend Division

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• Alex de Minaur (Aus)
• Lorenzo Musetti (It)

Bjorn Borg Group

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• The German powerhouse
• Ben Shelton (US)
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I’d probably dwell on it forever if I fail to accomplish it,” the American informed a journalist in June of winning a major. It is hoped he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that breaking through Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying empire is in fact extremely unlikely for everybody else. {