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I have some thoughts about the comments made by the sports network broadcaster Chris Fowler following Novak Djokovic's victory over the American player in the New York major last eight. Consider – the athlete represents American, the commentator is from the US – and athletic competitions frequently encourage patriotic sentiment. Some disappointment was understandable. Rather, he invoked the ongoing drought of US male players at the majors: none of them had lifted a trophy since the last American champion in 2003, and Fritz had been the last one standing in the competition.

Everyone enjoy a storyline, myself included. But really. Even if Fritz defeated Djokovic for the first time, force of nature the Spanish star was waiting in the next round, whom he has yet to beat in an official match. And had he somehow survived that, it would have been title holder Jannik Sinner, versus him Fritz had dropped 10 of the previous eleven sets. The two young stars had also divided the last seven grand slams (and the Spaniard went on to thrash a fatigued Djokovic in the subsequent match). Fritz stated in post-match interviews following his defeat that he actually liked his draw, because it offered the chance to beat the top three players in the world back-to-back. Fritz is more than justified to aim for the achievement; an competitor is supposed to have faith in themselves. But entering that Serbian last eight match who else sensibly had the drought of US winners on the brain?

The American star's second serve the only thing standing in her way and consistent victories

The American, twenty-eight, is ranked number four in the world entering the upcoming ATP World Tour Finals and has won his last six matches over No 3 the German with increasing ease. It's likely he might 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 sit a vast gap of ranking points away. Fritz’s elite serve and concussive power on each forehand and backhand are more than enough to defeat most rivals on the ATP tour. When facing the handful of generational talents, though, he is often overmatched. The past few years has witnessed the interesting emergence of tall, gangly athletes who can nonetheless move around with the alarming quickness and fluidity of smaller men. He is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His movement is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his limbs. So he seldom win a rally that the opponent was dictating, and hitting a soft shot against him is usually a reliable tactic. That acts as a pretty severe restriction on his potential.

The American has achieved a number of significant, improbable improvements over the years. Early on of the decade, he was hovering around the bottom of the top 30. Two years later, he was approaching the top 10. The previous season, he suddenly exploded up to fourth place – and held the spot. But the subsequent step, competing against and beating legendary figures like the young Spaniard, Sinner, and even a aging Serbian, is the highest of all. What could Fowler have been thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a legitimate contender to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was worth commenting on the continuing drought of US male players lifting major titles when he had departed the US Open in the quarter-finals? The desperation is just excessive and the respect for the difficulty of the challenge insufficient.

The American star achieved a career-best run to the Wimbledon last four in the summer.

Fritz’s play in that exact last eight match should have been sufficient of an sign. Djokovic triumphed in four sets, a win that only felt uncertain for moments towards the very end, when Fritz had survived a couple match points and had a opportunity to maintain serve for 5-5. The pair appeared evenly matched during the exchanges, with Fritz creating numerous opportunities to break. But Djokovic rescued service break opportunity after break point, extending the run to the brink of agony. When Fritz finally did claim one of the opportunities at 5-5 in the second set, he promptly played a terrible service game to lose his own serve again; the Serbian had drawn him into a skirmish secondary to the main contest and compelled him to expend excessive energy to win it. Down match points in the final game, his primary delivery sailed to the sky. He extended the contest twice on his second serve, but finally double-faulted. It was not a collapse, I didn’t think, only a consequence of needing to hit an excessive number of weaker deliveries.

The contest was fairly compelling proof that the American is insufficiently skilled to defeat any form of the Serbian, who lost to the Spaniard in the following match and did not particularly seem like he believed he could triumph. This is perfectly fine – Djokovic is the best player ever, and may not be at the height of his physical powers now, but has acquired enough experience and tactical know-how to make up for a significant portion of the drop-off. The issue is the individuals who were expecting the American to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not accomplished anything that indicated he could.

Fritz is an asset to the tour nonetheless. He’s a calm, thoughtful presence in press conferences, exceeding virtually anyone on the ATP aside from Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not just say his emotions or the strategy he felt decided a contest, but explain it. That he should bear the brunt of the blame for the United States not produce a male major champion since the last American titlist seems unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, perhaps they can share that load.)

ATP Finals: Player Divisions

American legend Group

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

Bjorn Borg Division

• Jannik Sinner (It)
• The German powerhouse
• The rising American
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I’d probably dwell on it forever if I don’t do it,” the American told a journalist in the summer of winning a major. It is hoped he understands that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t achieve that objective, that overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner’s young, terrifying reign is actually highly improbable for all other players. {