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I possess a few opinions about that remarks made by ESPN commentator Chris Fowler after the Serbian champion's win over Taylor Fritz in the US Open quarter-finals. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, the commentator is American – and athletic competitions frequently encourage nationalism. A little bit of letdown would have been understandable. Rather, Fowler brought up the continued drought of American men at grand slam tournaments: none of them had lifted a title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the final representative in the competition.

We all enjoy a storyline, me too. But come on. Even if Fritz defeated the legend for the initial occasion, force of nature the Spanish star was looming in the following match, whom Fritz has never defeated in an official match. And had he someway gotten past that, it would have been defending champion the Italian, against whom the American had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also divided the last seven grand slams (plus Alcaraz proceeded to thrash a tired Serbian in the next round). Fritz stated in press following his defeat that he in fact preferred his path, because it presented the chance to defeat the top three competitors in the sport back-to-back. Fritz is well justified to aim for the achievement; an competitor is supposed to have faith in themselves. But entering that Djokovic last eight match who else sensibly had the lack of American champions in mind?

Coco Gauff’s second serve the only thing between her and sustained success

Fritz, 28, is ranked fourth in the global rankings entering the upcoming year-end championships and has secured his previous six encounters over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with increasing ease. It's likely he could take that spot for himself in the future. But evidently that right now, that is as high as he can climb: The Italian and Spaniard sit a chasm of ranking points away. Fritz’s top-class serve and concussive power on each forehand and backhand are more than enough to dispose of most rivals on the ATP tour. When facing the select few once-in-a-lifetime players, though, Fritz is often helpless. The past few years has seen the interesting rise of lanky, towering athletes who can nonetheless cover the court with the alarming quickness and grace of much shorter players. He is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His footwork is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he seldom win a rally that the other player was controlling, and hitting a drop shot against him is typically a reliable tactic. That serves as a pretty harsh restriction on his potential.

The American has made a several dramatic, improbable advancements over the years. Early on of the ten-year period, he was circling the bottom of the top 30. 24 months later, he was approaching the elite ten. The previous season, he unexpectedly surged up to No 4 – and held the spot. But the next leap, competing against and beating all-time-greats like Alcaraz, Sinner, and including a declining 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 appropriate commenting on the continuing drought of American men winning major titles when Fritz had departed the New York major in the quarter-finals? The thirst is simply too much and the respect for the magnitude of the task insufficient.

Taylor Fritz achieved a career-best run to the Wimbledon last four in July.

The American's performance in that very quarter-final ought to have been enough of an indication. The Serbian triumphed in four sets, a win that only felt tenuous for moments towards the conclusion, when the American had survived a couple match points and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The duo appeared evenly matched during the rallies, with the American earning plenty of chances to break. But Djokovic saved service break opportunity after service break opportunity, prolonging the run to the point of agony. When he finally did convert 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 drawn him into a skirmish peripheral to the real battle and forced him to expend far too much effort to win it. Facing set points in the last game, Fritz’s primary delivery floated to the sky. He extended the contest two times on his second serve, but ultimately committed two errors. It was not a collapse, I didn’t think, just a consequence of having to hit too many second serves.

The contest was quite compelling proof that Fritz is not good enough to beat any form of the Serbian, that lost to the Spaniard in the next round and never particularly appeared like he believed he could triumph. This is absolutely fine – Djokovic is the greatest of all time, and might not be at the peak of his physical powers now, but has acquired enough knowledge and tactical know-how to compensate for quite a bit of the drop-off. The issue is the individuals who were expecting Fritz to win, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that suggested he would.

The American is an valuable contributor to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, reflective presence in press conferences, exceeding virtually anyone on the ATP aside from Daniil Medvedev, willing to not just say his emotions or the tactic he believed decided a match, but clarify it. That he should bear the brunt of the blame for America not produce a men's grand slam winner since the last American titlist feels unfair. (Now that Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, perhaps they can share that load.)

Year-End Championships: Singles Groups

American legend Group

• The Spanish phenom
• The American contender
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Bjorn Borg Division

• The Italian champion
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• The rising American
• The Canadian talent

“I’d probably think about it forever if I fail to accomplish it,” the American informed an interviewer in the summer of winning a grand slam. I hope he understands that he’s not a failure if he does not achieve that goal, that breaking through the Spanish and Italian's dominant, formidable reign is in fact highly improbable for everybody else. {