It’s no secret that American men’s tennis it has been missing a superstar for years.
Many have come and gone, offering promises but ultimately disappearing. John Isner, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey – all excellent players who had impressive careers but ultimately lacked individual success at the highest level.
Not since Andy Roddick Has the United States won a men’s Grand Slam singles title. Not since the days of Pete Sampras And Andre Agassi Has an American dominated the sport.
Taylor Fritz still has a long way to go if he wants to reach this level of success, but as the seasons go by, winning a bronze medal at the Olympics and becoming the first American in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam final is certainly one way to get American fans excited for what could happen.
“I had a really good year,” Fritz said in an interview with CNN Sports. “Lots of highlights, and whatever this week is, I’m going to finish this year as my best year ever.”
Currently competing in the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, Fritz began his second tournament appearance with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Daniil Medvedev, his 50th win of the year. This was followed on Tuesday by a 6-4 6-4 defeat against Jannik Sinner.
Despite his good year, Fritz is reluctant to consider himself the figurehead of American men’s tennis.
“Personally, I never really saw it that way, just because I played in a group with so many other guys my age who are also very good, very high-ranking players,” said the 27-year-old. old.
“So I always felt like we kind of met all the expectations together. This has never been more important to one person. Naturally, because I was the highest ranked, people want to rely more on me, but I only focus on my personal improvement and getting those good results for myself.
Power torque
Fritz credits his girlfriend, influencer Morgan Riddle, for helping him maintain the mental edge needed to compete at the highest level.
Riddle has become a fixture at Grand Slam events in recent years, supporting Fritz at major tournaments around the world. The couple began dating in 2020 and Riddle admits to knowing nothing about sports at the start of their relationship.
But last year, The New York Times called her “the most famous woman in men’s tennis” and the couple’s profile has exploded since appearing in the Netflix documentary series “Break Point,” which follows the ups and downs of life in professional tennis.
“I think it’s great to have someone who is with you and supports you and helps you stay focused,” Fritz said. “As someone who had nothing to do with tennis before, in Morgan’s case, she’s done an incredible job over the years, just being understanding.
“She gets it, and she also understands what it takes every week and throughout the year to help me play my best tennis and feel my best. I think that’s an important thing – I just kind of have someone helping me at all times.
Morgan Riddle cheers on her boyfriend Taylor Fritz at the US Open. -Jean Catuffe/GC Images/Getty Images
Fritz’s 2024 season saw quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open and Wimbledon either side of a round of 16 elimination against Casper Ruud at Roland Garros. These were all respectable results, but the American’s season really came together over a short period of time earlier this year.
First, on August 3, he won bronze in men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics alongside Tommy Paul. Then, 36 days later, he found himself facing world number one Jannik Sinner in the US Open final, having beaten Ruud, Alexander Zverev and fellow American Frances Tiafoe to get there.
He would lose in straight sets, but had already proven that he had made significant progress from previous years.
“I think a lot of it is mental,” Fritz said. “I have the impression that the level is quite similar (to last season).
“Sometimes it only takes a week or two to put things together and have a deep run. It can be the difference in the standings between finishing in the top eight and finishing 10, 11, 12. It’s literally a few matches here and there, a tournament where it clicks.
Battles with Nadal
The ATP Finals is a tournament that will undoubtedly be close to Fritz’s heart. In 2022 – his other appearance in the competition – the American beat Nadal in his tournament debut, the first time in his career that he had beaten a top-three player.
Two years later – and as the Spaniard approaches his final match before bowing out in the Davis Cup final later this month – Fritz expressed his gratitude for facing a legend of the sport.
“I feel like there’s so much to say, but I would say the most important thing is that we’re very lucky to have had the chance to play and compete against him,” he declared. “There is no specific moment. I didn’t watch much tennis growing up but I watched Rafa.
“I remember the Wimbledon final (2008) with him and the Fed. It’s crazy that I was a little kid – not like a teenager – I was a little kid watching him play and then we grew up and got a chance to play against him. It’s something so special.
“There are only a few players who are like that, and it’s really kind of crazy when you get the chance to play against them.”
As the era of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic comes to an end, Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz may be starting to establish themselves as the “two big ones» of men’s tennis, although Fritz will be confident that in the years to come there will be the possibility of two becoming three.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com
