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I possess a few thoughts regarding that comments made by ESPN commentator a well-known announcer following Novak Djokovic's victory over Taylor Fritz during the New York major last eight. Consider – the athlete represents the United States, Fowler is American – and athletic competitions frequently encourage nationalism. Some letdown was understandable. Instead, Fowler brought up the continued absence of American men at grand slam tournaments: none of them has won a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and Fritz had been the final representative in the tournament.

We all love a storyline, me too. But really. Suppose Fritz defeated Djokovic for the first time, force of nature Carlos Alcaraz was waiting in the next round, who he has yet to beat in an official match. And if he’d somehow survived that, it would have been title holder the Italian, against whom Fritz had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. Alcaraz and Sinner had also split the last seven major titles (plus the Spaniard proceeded to defeat a tired Djokovic in the next round). Fritz said in press after the loss that he in fact preferred his draw, because it offered the opportunity to beat the top three players in the sport back-to-back. He is more than justified to aim for the achievement; an athlete is meant to believe in themselves. But entering that Serbian quarter-final what other person sensibly had the drought of American champions on the brain?

The American star's weaker delivery the only thing standing in her way and consistent victories

The American, 28, is placed number four 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. Presumably he could claim that position for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that right now, that is as far as he can rise: Sinner and Alcaraz lie a chasm of ranking points away. Fritz’s top-class delivery and concussive strength on each forehand and reverse side are sufficiently enough to dispose of most opponents on the ATP tour. Against the handful of generational talents, however, Fritz is often overmatched. The past few seasons has seen the interesting emergence of tall, gangly athletes who can nevertheless move around with the surprising quickness and fluidity of smaller players. He is six-foot-five and appears that way. His movement is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he seldom steal a point that the other player was controlling, and playing a drop shot versus him is typically a safe bet. That serves as a pretty severe limitation on his potential.

Fritz has made a several significant, improbable advancements over the years. At the beginning of the ten-year period, he was hovering around the lower end of the top 30. Two years later, he was approaching the elite ten. Last year, he unexpectedly exploded up to No 4 – and held the position. But the next leap, mixing it up with and defeating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, the Italian, and including a aging Serbian, is the highest of all. What could Fowler have been thinking? That the American, in 2025, was a serious threat to beat them all back-to-back? That it was appropriate mentioning the ongoing drought of American men lifting major titles when he had exited the US Open in the quarter-finals? The thirst is just too much and the respect for the magnitude of the task too little.

Taylor Fritz made a career-best run to the Wimbledon semi-finals in July.

Fritz’s performance in that exact quarter-final ought to have been sufficient of an indication. The Serbian won in four sets, a victory that only felt tenuous for moments towards the very end, when Fritz had saved a few championship opportunities and had a chance to maintain serve for 5-5. The pair appeared well-balanced during the rallies, with the American creating numerous chances to win the opponent's serve. But the champion saved service break opportunity after service break opportunity, extending the run to the brink of agony. When Fritz finally did convert one of the chances at 5-5 in the second set, he promptly played a terrible service game to drop serve once more; Djokovic had lulled him into a battle secondary to the main contest and forced him to expend excessive effort to prevail. Facing match points in the last game, his first serve sailed to heaven. He extended the contest two times on his backup delivery, but ultimately double-faulted. It wasn’t a choke, in my opinion, just a consequence of having to hit too many weaker deliveries.

The contest was fairly ironclad evidence that the American is not good enough to beat any form of Djokovic, who lost to Alcaraz in the next round and never particularly appeared like he believed he could win. This is perfectly fine – Djokovic is the best player ever, and may not be at the height of his physical powers anymore, but has developed enough knowledge and tactical know-how to make up for a significant portion of the decline. The issue is the individuals who were expecting Fritz to win, and putting pressure on him to do so, when he was yet to done anything that suggested he could.

The American is an asset to the tour regardless. He’s a patient, thoughtful presence in media sessions, exceeding virtually everyone on the ATP except for the Russian star, willing to not just say his emotions or the tactic he felt determined a match, but clarify it. That he should bear the brunt of the blame for the United States failing to spawn a men's grand slam winner since the last American titlist feels unfair. (Now that Ben Shelton is competing alongside him in the rankings, maybe they can divide that burden.)

Year-End Championships: Singles Groups

American legend Group

• Carlos Alcaraz (Sp)
• Taylor Fritz (US)
• The Australian speedster
• The Italian stylist

Swedish icon Division

• The Italian champion
• The German powerhouse
• Ben Shelton (US)
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I’d probably think about it indefinitely if I don’t accomplish it,” Fritz told an interviewer in June 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 Alcaraz and Sinner’s dominant, formidable empire is actually extremely improbable for all other players. {