New York, Aug 22 (AP) – Taylor Fritz is heading back to Flushing Meadows, where last year's runner-up finish at the U.S. Open served as a significant milestone in his career. As much as this boosts his morale, Fritz is determined to remain focused on the present. “I'm honestly trying not to think about last year there,” said Fritz in an interview with The Associated Press. “I want to do everything the same as I did it last time — which is not looking ahead in the draw, not thinking about the end of the tournament."
When the final Grand Slam of the season kicks off on Sunday, Fritz has every reason to harbor high expectations. The 27-year-old Californian has had an impressive year, delighting American tennis fans with a remarkable 12-month performance. Two out of Fritz's last four Slam losses came at the hands of Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. Fritz now holds a career-best ranking at No. 4, just behind No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, and No. 3 Alexander Zverev.
In the past year, Fritz reached his first Grand Slam final in New York, losing to Sinner. This achievement marked the first U.S. male appearance in a Grand Slam title match since 2009. He later fell to Sinner in the ATP Finals in Italy last November and lost to Alcaraz in Wimbledon’s semifinals just last month.
Gabriel Diallo, who lost to Fritz at the All England Club, noted the challenge of facing such competition. “Against a player like that, if you don't show up, and you don't play with your front foot by going forward, applying pressure, and you let him dictate, the result is going to be the one that happened today.”
Fritz possesses a powerful serve, a strong forehand, and an increasingly effective return game, attributes that have propelled him to the upper echelons of men's tennis. However, like many players today, he hasn’t clinched a major title during the current dominance by Sinner and Alcaraz.
Fritz's journey highlights the end of a major drought for U.S men's singles in Slams. He is acutely aware that no American man has claimed a major singles trophy since Andy Roddick did so at the 2003 U.S. Open. “I don't feel like I have a responsibility to do it — or I don't feel like people are counting on me or anything. I think all the pressure that I feel is just the pressure that I'm putting on myself,” Fritz explained. His burning desire to win a Slam stems from his competitive spirit and lifelong commitment to tennis.
Fritz's coach, Michael Russell, believes that Fritz's improved fitness and endurance contribute significantly to his better performance in majors, instilling confidence to endure lengthy match-ups. Notably, Fritz secured victories in two five-set matches in the opening rounds of Wimbledon.
Russell sees a ‘snowball effect’ building momentum as the U.S. Open approaches. “There's still quite a few things he can improve — and he's willing to do that. He's very stubborn, which makes him a great player, but he's also been more absorbent and willing to work on some things,” Russell commented. “Going deeper in these events breeds confidence. Getting new experiences and seeing, Oh, wait, my hard work is paying off.' It's a snowball effect.”
The highlight for Fritz from last year's U.S. Open was his triumphant Grand Slam semifinal win against countryman and friend Frances Tiafoe. “Feelings like that are the reasons why I like to compete and why I like to play tennis. How good those moments feel,” Fritz reminisced.
Yet, he hasn't revisited those matches or moments in footage despite their significance. "If I feel like things aren't really clicking, then at that point, maybe I'd go back and watch some matches, just to see what it was looking like and what was working for me,” Fritz said. “Kind of try and jog my memory a little bit.” (AP) DDV
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