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I possess a few opinions about that remarks delivered by the sports network broadcaster Chris Fowler following Novak Djokovic's win over Taylor Fritz during the US Open quarter-finals. Look – Fritz is the United States, Fowler is from the US – and sports often encourage patriotic sentiment. A little bit of disappointment was appropriate. Instead, Fowler brought up the ongoing drought of American men at grand slam tournaments: none of them has won a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and he had been the last one standing in the competition.

We all enjoy a narrative, me too. But come on. Suppose the American defeated Djokovic for the first time, phenomenal talent Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the next round, who he has never defeated in an competitive encounter. And had he somehow gotten past that, it would have been title holder the Italian, against whom Fritz 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 fatigued Djokovic in the next round). Fritz said in press following his defeat that he actually liked his draw, because it offered the chance to beat the three best competitors in the sport back-to-back. Fritz is more than justified to aspire to the accomplishment; an competitor is meant to have faith in themselves. But going into that Djokovic quarter-final what other person in their right mind had the drought of US winners in mind?

The American star's weaker delivery the only thing standing in her way and consistent victories

The American, 28, is ranked number four in the world starting this week’s ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six matches over No 3 the German with increasing ease. Presumably he might claim that position for himself in the future. But evidently that right now, that is as high as he can rise: Sinner and Alcaraz sit a chasm of performance metrics away. His elite delivery and concussive strength on each front side and backhand are sufficiently adequate to dispose of the majority of opponents on the professional circuit. When facing the handful of once-in-a-lifetime players, though, he is frequently helpless. The past few years has seen the interesting rise of lanky, towering players who can nevertheless cover the court with the alarming quickness and fluidity of smaller players. He is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His movement is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he seldom win a rally that the other player was dictating, and hitting a drop shot versus him is typically a safe bet. That serves as a pretty severe limitation on his potential.

Fritz has achieved a several dramatic, unexpected advancements over the years. Early on of the ten-year period, he was circling the lower end of the top 30. Two years after, he was sniffing the elite ten. The previous season, he unexpectedly surged to No 4 – and held the spot. But the subsequent step, competing against and defeating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, the Italian, and even a declining Serbian, is the highest of all. What could Fowler thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a serious threat to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was worth mentioning the ongoing drought of American men lifting major titles when Fritz had exited the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the appreciation for the difficulty of the challenge insufficient.

Taylor Fritz achieved a career-best run to the All England Club semi-finals in July.

The American's performance in that very last eight match should have been sufficient of an indication. The Serbian triumphed in four sets, a win that only felt uncertain for moments towards the very end, when Fritz had survived a few match points and had a chance to maintain serve for 5-5. The pair looked well-balanced during the exchanges, with the American creating numerous chances to break. But Djokovic saved break point after break point, extending the run to the brink of agony. When Fritz finally did claim a single of the chances at 5-5 in the second set, he immediately played a terrible service game to lose his own serve once more; Djokovic had drawn him into a battle secondary to the real battle and compelled him to use far too much effort to prevail. Facing match points in the last game, his primary delivery sailed to the sky. He extended the match two times on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It wasn’t a collapse, I didn’t think, just a consequence of needing to hit too many second serves.

The match was quite compelling proof that Fritz is insufficiently skilled to defeat any form of the Serbian, who was defeated by the Spaniard in the next round and did not particularly appeared like he believed he could win. This is perfectly fine – Djokovic 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 a significant portion of the decline. The problem is the individuals who were expecting the American to win, and pressuring him to achieve that, when he was had not accomplished anything that indicated he could.

Fritz is an valuable contributor to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in press conferences, more so than almost everyone on the ATP aside from Daniil Medvedev, willing to not just say his emotions or the strategy he felt determined a match, but clarify it. That he ought to bear the brunt of the responsibility for the United States not spawn a male major champion since Andy Roddick feels unfair. (Now that the fellow American is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can share that load.)

ATP Finals: Singles Groups

Jimmy Connors Division

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• The American contender
• The Australian speedster
• Lorenzo Musetti (It)

Swedish icon Division

• The Italian champion
• The German powerhouse
• The rising American
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I would likely think about it forever if I fail to do it,” Fritz told an interviewer in June of winning a major. It is hoped he realizes that he’s not unsuccessful if he does not fulfill that objective, that breaking through the Spanish and Italian's dominant, formidable empire is in fact highly improbable for all other players. {