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I possess a few thoughts about that comments delivered by ESPN commentator a well-known announcer after the Serbian champion's win over Taylor Fritz in the New York major last eight. Look – the athlete represents American, the commentator is American – and athletic competitions frequently encourage nationalism. A little bit of disappointment would have been appropriate. Rather, Fowler invoked the ongoing absence of American men at grand slam tournaments: not one of them had lifted a title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz had been the final representative in the competition.

Everyone enjoy a storyline, me too. But come on. Suppose the American defeated the legend for the initial occasion, force of nature the Spanish star was looming in the following match, who he has yet to beat in an competitive encounter. And had he somehow survived that, it would have been defending champion the Italian, against whom the American had lost 10 of the previous eleven sets. The two young stars had also divided the last seven major titles (plus Alcaraz proceeded to thrash a tired Serbian in the subsequent match). He said in press following his defeat that he in fact liked his path, because it offered the opportunity to defeat the top three players in the world back-to-back. Fritz is more than within his right to aspire to the accomplishment; an competitor is supposed to believe in themselves. But going into that Djokovic last eight match who else in their right mind had the lack of American champions on the brain?

The American star's weaker delivery the only thing between her and sustained success

The American, 28, is ranked number four in the world entering this week’s year-end championships and has won his last six matches over third-ranked Alexander Zverev with growing comfort. Presumably he might claim that position for himself in the coming years. But it’s clear that at present, that is as far as he can rise: Sinner and Alcaraz sit a chasm of ranking points away. His elite delivery and concussive strength on each forehand and backhand are more than enough to dispose of most opponents on the professional circuit. When facing the select few generational talents, however, he is frequently helpless. The past few years has seen the curious emergence of tall, gangly athletes who can nevertheless cover the court with the surprising quickness and fluidity of much shorter men. He is 6ft 5ins and looks it. His movement is rigid, as if he hasn't fully adapted to his legs. So he seldom steal a point that the opponent was dictating, and playing a soft shot versus him is typically a reliable tactic. That serves as a pretty severe limitation on his upside.

The American has made a number of dramatic, improbable advancements throughout his career. Early on of the ten-year period, he was circling the lower end of the top 30. 24 months after, he was sniffing the top 10. The previous season, he unexpectedly surged to fourth place – and maintained the position. But the subsequent step, competing against and beating all-time-greats like Alcaraz, the Italian, and even a aging Djokovic, is the highest of all. What could Fowler thinking? That Fritz, in 2025, was a serious threat to defeat them all back-to-back? That it was worth commenting on the continuing drought of US male players lifting grand slams when he had departed the New York major in the quarter-finals? The desperation is just excessive and the appreciation for the magnitude of the challenge too little.

The American star achieved a personal best advancement to the All England Club last four in July.

The American's performance in that exact last eight match ought to have been sufficient of an indication. Djokovic triumphed in four rounds, a win that only felt tenuous for moments towards the very end, when the American had saved a couple match points and had a opportunity to hold for 5-5. The pair appeared well-balanced during the rallies, with Fritz creating plenty of opportunities to win the opponent's serve. But the champion rescued service break opportunity after service break opportunity, prolonging the run to the point of frustration. When he eventually did claim one of the chances at 5-5 in the middle stanza, he promptly produced a terrible service game to lose his own serve once more; Djokovic had lulled him into a skirmish secondary to the main contest and compelled him to use excessive energy to prevail. Down set points in the last game, his primary delivery floated to heaven. He extended the contest two times on his second serve, but ultimately double-faulted. It was not a collapse, I didn’t think, just a result of having to hit an excessive number of second serves.

The contest was quite ironclad proof that Fritz is insufficiently skilled to defeat any form of Djokovic, who was defeated by Alcaraz in the following match and did not especially appeared like he believed he could triumph. This is perfectly fine – Djokovic is the best player ever, and might not be at the height of his athletic abilities now, but has acquired enough experience and strategic intelligence to make up for a significant portion of the decline. The problem is those who were anticipating the American to prevail, and pressuring him to do so, when he was had not done anything that indicated he could.

The American is an valuable contributor to the circuit nonetheless. He’s a calm, reflective presence in media sessions, more so than almost everyone on the ATP except for Daniil Medvedev, prepared to not just say how he feels or the strategy he believed decided a contest, but explain it. That he ought to shoulder the majority of the blame for America failing to produce a male major champion since Andy Roddick seems unfair. (Since Ben Shelton is rubbing shoulders with him in the standings, maybe they can share that load.)

ATP Finals: Singles Groups

Jimmy Connors Group

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

Swedish icon Division

• The Italian champion
• Alexander Zverev (Ger)
• The rising American
• Félix Auger-Aliassime (Can)

“I would likely think about it forever if I don’t accomplish it,” the American told a journalist in the summer of winning a grand slam. I hope he realizes that he’s not unsuccessful if he doesn’t fulfill that goal, that overcoming the Spanish and Italian's dominant, formidable reign is in fact extremely unlikely for everybody else. {