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I have some thoughts about the comments made by the sports network commentator Chris Fowler after the Serbian champion's win over the American player in the US Open quarter-finals. Consider – Fritz is American, the commentator is American – and athletic competitions often lend themselves to nationalism. A little bit of letdown was appropriate. Rather, Fowler brought up the ongoing absence of American men at grand slam tournaments: not one of them has won a title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the tournament.

We all love a narrative, myself included. But really. Suppose the American had beaten Djokovic for the first time, phenomenal talent Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the next round, who he has never defeated in an official match. And if he’d somehow survived that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, against whom Fritz had lost 10 of the last 11 sets. The two young stars had also split the previous seven major titles (and Alcaraz went on to defeat a tired Djokovic in the next round). Fritz stated in press following his defeat that he actually liked his draw, because it presented the chance to defeat the top three players in the world in succession. He is more than within his right to aim for the achievement; an competitor is supposed to have faith in themselves. But entering that Serbian quarter-final who else in their right mind had the drought of American champions in mind?

Coco Gauff’s weaker delivery the only thing standing in her way and consistent victories

The American, twenty-eight, is placed fourth in the world starting the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has won his previous six encounters over third-ranked the German with increasing ease. It's likely he might take that spot for himself in the future. But evidently that right now, that is as high as he can climb: Sinner and Alcaraz lie a vast gap of ranking points away. His elite serve and concussive strength on both front side and backhand are more than enough to dispose of the majority of rivals on the professional circuit. Against the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, though, he is often overmatched. The past few years has witnessed the curious rise of lanky, towering players who can nonetheless cover the court with the surprising speed and fluidity of much shorter players. He is 6ft 5ins and appears that way. His movement is stiff, as if he’s still getting used to his legs. So he’ll rarely win a rally that the opponent was dictating, and playing a drop shot versus him is usually a reliable tactic. That acts as a pretty harsh limitation on his upside.

Fritz has made a several dramatic, improbable improvements 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 top 10. Last year, he unexpectedly surged to No 4 – and maintained the position. But the subsequent step, competing against and defeating all-time-greats like the young Spaniard, the Italian, and even a aging Serbian, is the toughest of all. What could Fowler thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to beat them all back-to-back? That it was worth mentioning the ongoing drought of US male players lifting major titles when he had departed the US Open in the quarter-finals? The desperation is just excessive and the appreciation for the magnitude of the task too little.

The American star made a personal best run to the All England Club semi-finals in July.

The American's play in that very quarter-final should have been enough of an indication. The Serbian won in four sets, a win that only felt uncertain for moments towards the very end, when the American had survived a couple match points and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the rallies, with Fritz earning plenty of opportunities to break. But the champion rescued break point after service break opportunity, extending the streak to the brink of frustration. When Fritz eventually did claim one of the opportunities at 5-5 in the second set, he immediately played a terrible game to lose his own serve once more; the Serbian had lulled him into a battle peripheral to the main contest and forced him to expend excessive energy to win it. Down set points in the last game, his primary delivery sailed to heaven. He prolonged the match twice on his second serve, but ultimately committed two errors. It wasn’t a choke, in my opinion, just a result of having to hit an excessive number of weaker deliveries.

The match was quite compelling proof that the American is not good enough to beat any version of Djokovic, that lost to the Spaniard in the following match and never especially appeared like he thought he could triumph. This is absolutely fine – the Serbian is the best player ever, and may not be at the peak of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired enough experience and tactical know-how to make up for quite a bit of the decline. The problem is the individuals who were anticipating the American to prevail, and pressuring him to achieve that, when he was had not accomplished anything that indicated he could.

The American is an valuable contributor to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, thoughtful voice in press conferences, exceeding virtually anyone on the men's tour aside from Daniil Medvedev, willing to not just express how he feels or the tactic he felt decided a match, but clarify it. That he should shoulder the majority of the blame for the United States not spawn a male major champion since the last American titlist seems unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can divide that load.)

Year-End Championships: Player Divisions

Jimmy Connors Division

• The Spanish phenom
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• The Australian speedster
• Lorenzo Musetti (It)

Swedish icon Division

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• The German powerhouse
• Ben Shelton (US)
• The Canadian talent

“I’d probably think about it forever if I don’t do it,” the American informed a journalist in June of winning a major. It is hoped he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he does not achieve that goal, that breaking through Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying reign is actually extremely unlikely for everybody else. {