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I have some opinions about that comments delivered by the sports network commentator Chris Fowler after the Serbian champion's victory over Taylor Fritz in the New York major last eight. Look – the athlete represents American, the commentator is American – and athletic competitions frequently encourage patriotic sentiment. Some letdown would have been appropriate. Instead, Fowler brought up the ongoing absence of American men at grand slam tournaments: not one of them had lifted a trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the tournament.

We all enjoy a storyline, me too. But come on. Even if Fritz had beaten Djokovic for the initial occasion, phenomenal talent Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the next round, 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 Fritz had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also divided the previous seven major titles (and Alcaraz proceeded to thrash a fatigued Djokovic in the next round). Fritz stated in post-match interviews following his defeat that he actually liked his path, because it offered the chance to defeat the three best players in the sport in succession. He is well justified to aim for the achievement; an athlete is meant to believe in themselves. But entering that Serbian quarter-final who else in their right mind had the lack of US winners 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 global rankings starting this week’s ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six matches over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. It's likely he could claim that position for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that right now, that is as high as he can climb: Sinner and Alcaraz lie a vast gap of ranking points away. Fritz’s top-class serve and concussive strength on both front side and backhand are more than enough to dispose of most opponents on the professional circuit. Against the select few generational talents, though, Fritz is often helpless. The past few years has seen the curious 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 footwork is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his limbs. So he seldom win a rally that the other player was dictating, and playing a drop shot against him is typically a reliable tactic. That serves as a pretty severe restriction on his upside.

Fritz has achieved a number of dramatic, unexpected advancements over the years. Early on of the decade, he was hovering around the bottom of the top 30. 24 months after, he was approaching the elite ten. The previous season, he unexpectedly exploded to fourth place – and maintained the position. But the next leap, competing against and defeating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and including a aging Djokovic, is the toughest of all. What could Fowler thinking? That Fritz, 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 lifting major titles when Fritz had departed the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the respect for the magnitude of the task too little.

The American star made a career-best run to the All England Club last four in the summer.

Fritz’s performance in that very last eight match ought to have been sufficient of an indication. The Serbian triumphed in four rounds, a victory that only seemed tenuous for brief periods towards the conclusion, when Fritz had survived a couple championship opportunities and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared well-balanced during the rallies, with Fritz earning numerous chances to win the opponent's serve. But the champion rescued service break opportunity after service break opportunity, extending the streak to the point of agony. When Fritz eventually did claim one of the chances at 5-5 in the second set, he promptly produced a horrendous game to drop serve again; Djokovic had drawn him into a battle peripheral to the main contest and compelled him to expend far too much energy to win it. Down match points in the last game, his primary delivery sailed to the sky. He prolonged the contest twice 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 contest was fairly ironclad proof that the American is insufficiently skilled to defeat any form of the Serbian, who lost to the Spaniard in the following match and never particularly appeared like he thought he could win. This is absolutely fine – the Serbian is the best player ever, and might not be at the height of his physical powers now, but has developed sufficient knowledge and tactical know-how to make up for a significant portion of the drop-off. The problem is those who were anticipating Fritz to win, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that suggested he would.

Fritz is an asset to the circuit nonetheless. He’s a patient, thoughtful presence in media sessions, exceeding almost anyone on the ATP aside from Daniil Medvedev, willing to not just express how he feels or the strategy he felt decided a contest, but explain it. That he should shoulder the majority of the responsibility for America failing to produce a male major champion since Andy Roddick feels unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is competing alongside him in the standings, perhaps they can share that burden.)

ATP Finals: Player Divisions

American legend Group

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• The American contender
• Alex de Minaur (Aus)
• The Italian stylist

Swedish icon Group

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

“I would likely think about it forever if I don’t accomplish it,” Fritz informed an interviewer in the summer of claiming a major. It is hoped he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that objective, that overcoming the Spanish and Italian's dominant, formidable reign is in fact extremely improbable for everybody else. {