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I possess a few thoughts regarding that comments delivered by the sports network broadcaster a well-known announcer after Novak Djokovic's win over the American player during the US Open quarter-finals. Consider – the athlete represents American, Fowler is American – and athletic competitions frequently lend themselves to nationalism. A little bit of letdown would have been understandable. Rather, he brought up the ongoing drought of US male players at the majors: none of them has won a title since the last American champion in 2003, and he had been the final representative in the competition.

We all love a narrative, myself included. But come on. Even if Fritz had beaten Djokovic for the initial occasion, force of nature the Spanish star was looming in the following match, who he has never defeated in an official match. And if he’d somehow survived that, it would have been defending champion the Italian, against whom the American had dropped 10 of the last 11 sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also split the previous seven grand slams (and Alcaraz proceeded to thrash a tired Djokovic in the next round). He stated in press after the loss that he in fact liked his path, because it offered the opportunity to defeat the top three competitors in the sport in succession. Fritz is well within his right to aim for the achievement; an competitor is supposed to have faith in themselves. But entering that Djokovic last eight match what other person sensibly had the drought of US winners on the brain?

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

The American, 28, is placed number four in the global rankings entering this week’s year-end championships and has won his previous six matches over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. Presumably he might take that spot for himself in the future. But evidently that at present, that is as far as he can climb: The Italian and Spaniard lie a chasm of ranking points away. His elite delivery and powerful power on each forehand and reverse side are sufficiently enough to defeat the majority of rivals on the ATP tour. When facing the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, though, he is often helpless. The past few years has seen the interesting rise of lanky, towering players who can nevertheless move around with the alarming speed and fluidity of smaller men. Fritz is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His movement is stiff, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he’ll rarely win a rally that the opponent was dictating, and playing a drop shot against him is typically a reliable tactic. That acts as a pretty harsh restriction on his potential.

The American has achieved a several significant, improbable improvements over the years. At the beginning of the ten-year period, he was circling the lower end of the world's best thirty. 24 months later, he was sniffing the top 10. Last year, he suddenly exploded to fourth place – and held the position. 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 legitimate contender to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate mentioning the continuing drought of American men winning major titles when Fritz had exited the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply excessive and the appreciation for the magnitude of the challenge too little.

The American star made a career-best run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in the summer.

The American's performance in that very quarter-final should have been sufficient of an sign. The Serbian won in four rounds, a victory that only seemed uncertain for moments towards the conclusion, when the American had saved a few match points and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The duo looked well-balanced during the rallies, with Fritz earning numerous chances to win the opponent's serve. But Djokovic rescued break point after service break opportunity, extending the run to the brink of agony. When he finally did claim one of the opportunities at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he immediately played a horrendous game to lose his own serve once more; Djokovic had lulled him into a skirmish peripheral to the main contest and forced him to use far too much energy to win it. Facing match points in the last game, his primary delivery floated to heaven. He extended the match two times on his second serve, but ultimately committed two errors. It was not a choke, in my opinion, only a result of needing to hit an excessive number of weaker deliveries.

The contest was fairly compelling proof that Fritz is not good enough to defeat any version of Djokovic, who was defeated by the Spaniard in the next round and did not particularly seem like he believed he could triumph. This is absolutely fine – Djokovic is the greatest of all time, and might not be at the height of his physical powers now, but has acquired sufficient experience and tactical know-how to compensate for a significant portion of the drop-off. The problem is the individuals who were expecting Fritz to win, and putting pressure on him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that suggested he could.

The American is an asset to the circuit regardless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in press conferences, more so than virtually anyone on the men's tour except for the Russian star, prepared to not just say his emotions or the strategy he believed decided a contest, but explain it. That he should shoulder the majority of the responsibility for America not spawn a men's grand slam winner since Andy Roddick feels unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is competing alongside him in the standings, maybe they can divide that load.)

Year-End Championships: Singles Groups

American legend Group

• The Spanish phenom
• The American contender
• Alex de Minaur (Aus)
• Lorenzo Musetti (It)

Bjorn Borg Division

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• Ben Shelton (US)
• The Canadian talent

“I would likely dwell on it forever if I fail to accomplish it,” the American informed a journalist in June of claiming a grand slam. I hope he realizes that he’s not a failure if he does not achieve that goal, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominant, formidable reign is in fact highly unlikely for all other players. {