Over the last three seasons, Taylor Fritz has beaten a steady path to legitimacy as a top-tier talent on tour, becoming a fixture in the second week of Grand Slams. This year, the Southern California native enters the 2024 US Open with a reputation to uphold. For the first time in his nine-year Grand Slam career, Fritz has reached multiple major quarterfinals (at the Australian Open and Wimbledon). He’d like to make it three: as the top American in the ATP rankings, the world No.12 wants to put the icing on the cake and make this a Flushing fortnight to remember.
“Obviously [I'm] really excited to be here,” the 26-year-old told reporters inside the main press room on Friday. “It's the biggest week for the U.S. players.”
Fritz had never been past the third round at the Open prior to 2023, but that changed last year as he raced through four rounds without dropping a single set.
“I think last year coming in here, I just felt like I just needed a result at a Slam, because the Slam results were just really poor last year,” Fritz explains. “So I felt like I needed a good result.”
Fritz rolled into the 2023 US Open quarterfinals and a date with eventual champion Novak Djokovic. He didn’t get through that contest, but the 6’5” American has continued to impress in 2024. Coached by Michael Russell and Paul Annacone, Fritz has become the consummate pro, and the role model for American men. Not only has he bagged career titles No. 7 and No. 8 in Delray Beach and Eastbourne, respectively, Fritz has also reached the quarterfinals at three of the last four Grand Slams.
“This year, the Slam results have been pretty solid,” he said. “I feel like I've been performing well at the Slams, playing three-out-of-five sets. I'm feeling good, I'm feeling pretty confident about playing in the big tournaments right now.”
Since the start of 2022, Fritz has won 138 matches on tour and claimed seven of his eight career titles. That’s a product of his professionalism, his commitment to improving his footwork and fitness, and his unquenchable desire to evolve as a competitive force.
Even his setbacks are fodder for improvement at this stage of his career. Speaking of Djokovic, the man who defeated him in his first US Open quarterfinal last year, Fritz sounds like a pupil who has just spent time with a master. He takes note of Djokovic’s legendary passion, as if he hopes some of the Grand Slam king’s mojo might rub off on him.
“Obviously the discipline throughout the year, to never be satisfied and always want more is also just extremely impressive in itself,” Fritz says.
The No.12 seed, who opens with Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the first round, has a favorable draw that will enable him to avoid facing anybody ranked inside the top three until at least the semifinals – pretty good news for a guy that has won 12 of his last 13 matches against players ranked outside of the Top 20 at the majors. The only higher-ranked players in Fritz’s quarter are 2022 finalist Casper Ruud, the No.8 seed, and 2020 runner-up Alexander Zverev, the No.4 seed.
It’s another opportunity for Fritz to shine and he’s eager to put the finishing touches on what has been a stellar campaign thus far. To do it on home soil, makes it all the more special.
“Not only is it a Slam,” he says, “[but it is] always extra important just for the Americans. “I’m practicing well, feeling good, hoping to have a big week.”
