The view is different as you get toward the top. Taylor Fritz will attest to that.
In 2023, he became the first American man to crack the Top 5 in the ATP rankings since Andy Roddick in 2009. This year, Fritz became the first American man to reach the Round of 16 at all four majors in a single season since Andre Agassi in 2003.
But the man who grew up idolizing another Southern Californian, 14-time major singles titlist Pete Sampras, is ready for some new scenery. Now a decade into his pro career, Fritz is antsy to take that next step (or two) upward.
“I think as you get better, your expectations go up. What makes you satisfied, what makes you happy as far as rankings and results, that also goes up,” he said last month at the Cincinnati Open. “In the past, I’ve been very, very excited, very happy to make quarterfinals at Slams. I think I’m at the point now where I’m still happy to make quarterfinals, but I wouldn’t be happy with it ending here. I definitely am at the point where I really want more than that.”
Back into the elite eight at the US Open for the second straight year, he will next face a familiar opponent in Germany’s Alexander Zverev. He’s 4-5 against the world No. 4, though he claimed their most recent encounter in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, roaring back from two sets down to prevail, 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3. Will Fritz capitalize on the moment and earn a career-first semifinal in a draw that’s now without obstacles like defending champion Novak Djokovic and four-time major singles titlist Carlos Alcaraz?
“It’s impossible to not know that there’s more of an opportunity with how the draw has opened up,” said Fritz, who last year booked his first US Open quarterfinal without losing a set, before falling to Djokovic. “But it’s still the same as it’s been for me. Take it one match at a time. Worry about the person that’s in front of me, and we’ll go from there. The success in Slams has been nice, but I am a little bit sick of just making it to the quarterfinals, and I definitely want to go further.”
A month away from his 27th birthday, he knows that the clock is always ticking. But if he’s feeling the pressure from anywhere, he insists it’s coming from within.
“I don’t think it’s an urgency, I just think I’ve become a much better player than I was a couple of years ago, so the expectations are a lot higher,” he said. “If you told me five years ago that I’d be finishing in the Top 10, I’d be really pumped. But now I feel like I need to finish Top 10. Expectations change. I wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, I’m getting old, I need to have a huge result.’ I have an idea of where I believe my level is. If I’m not accomplishing that and moving forward, continuing to improve and getting good results, then I feel like I’m letting myself down.
“It’s just more myself wanting more and wanting to keep improving. The better you do, the more you want. It’s kind of just how most athletes are: You’re never really satisfied.”
