NEW DELHI: Taylor Fritz has the chance to end a two-decade drought in American men’s tennis when he takes on the world number one Jannik Sinner in the US Open Final on Sunday.
The 26-year-old believes his current form is “good enough to win” and end the 21-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion from the United States, the latter achieved by Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
Fritz is confident and believes that his five-set semifinal win on Friday against fellow American Frances Tiafoe, in which he was outclassed for long stretches, was a tougher test than the upcoming clash with Sinner.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be in a more stressful situation than against Frances,” said Fritz, according to AFP, the first American in a Grand Slam final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
“I just feel good. I feel like I’m going to play really well and win. If I play good tennis, I think this level is good enough to win.”
Fritz, currently ranked 12th in the world, has taken full advantage of the unexpected early departures of four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic and 2022 winner Carlos Alcaraz. Their absence has created a huge opportunity for the remaining players in the tournament.
Fritz secured his place in the semifinals by defeating 2020 fourth-seeded and runner-up Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. He had previously defeated 2022 eighth-seeded and finalist Casper Ruud in the round of 16.
His next opponent, Jannik Sinner, made history by becoming the first Italian to reach the final of the US Open. Fritz and Sinner have already faced each other twice and their head-to-head record is 1-1.
Fritz won their first meeting on the hard courts of Indian Wells in 2021 and Sinner took revenge two years later at the same venue in the California desert.
“I’ve always played well against Jannik. He hits the ball far. He’s a very strong hitter, but I feel like I always hit the ball very well against his ball,” explained the American, who had never made it past the quarterfinals of a major before this US Open.
Sinner won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and reached his second Grand Slam final in 2024 despite controversy over two failed doping tests.
He has a flawless record in finals this year, winning all five finals, including titles in Rotterdam, Halle, Miami and Cincinnati, as well as his victory in Melbourne.
Sinner worries about the wrist
At 23, he has 54 wins and just five losses this season. He is looking forward not only to facing Fritz, but also to performing in front of a lively crowd of 23,000 at the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Since he’s in America, the audience will certainly be a little more on his side,” Sinner said.
“But that’s normal. It’s like playing in Italy, so I’ll accept it.”
“I have my team and my people who are close to me. In my mind I know that a lot of people are watching from home in Italy and I just need some support from them.”
One of the Italian’s concerns is the condition of his left wrist, which he injured while catching a fall during his semi-final victory against Briton Jack Draper.
Sinner required a medical time off to treat his injury, but was quickly assured that it would not be a problem on Sunday.
“The physiotherapist loosened it up very quickly on the pitch and it disappeared when we played, which is good,” explained Sinner.
“Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It will feel different then. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. I’m quite relaxed because if it’s something bad, you’ll feel it a bit more.”
Whether American men’s tennis wins or loses on Sunday, Fritz believes it is entering a new golden age, as the country boasts five players in the top 20.
“I think it gives hope and shows that we are close to winning a Grand Slam tournament,” Fritz said.
“We are all moving in the right direction. I believe that when one of us does something, the others follow and the others gain confidence from that. I believe this is just the beginning for all of us.”
The 26-year-old believes his current form is “good enough to win” and end the 21-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion from the United States, the latter achieved by Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open.
Fritz is confident and believes that his five-set semifinal win on Friday against fellow American Frances Tiafoe, in which he was outclassed for long stretches, was a tougher test than the upcoming clash with Sinner.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be in a more stressful situation than against Frances,” said Fritz, according to AFP, the first American in a Grand Slam final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
“I just feel good. I feel like I’m going to play really well and win. If I play good tennis, I think this level is good enough to win.”
Fritz, currently ranked 12th in the world, has taken full advantage of the unexpected early departures of four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic and 2022 winner Carlos Alcaraz. Their absence has created a huge opportunity for the remaining players in the tournament.
Fritz secured his place in the semifinals by defeating 2020 fourth-seeded and runner-up Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. He had previously defeated 2022 eighth-seeded and finalist Casper Ruud in the round of 16.
His next opponent, Jannik Sinner, made history by becoming the first Italian to reach the final of the US Open. Fritz and Sinner have already faced each other twice and their head-to-head record is 1-1.
Fritz won their first meeting on the hard courts of Indian Wells in 2021 and Sinner took revenge two years later at the same venue in the California desert.
“I’ve always played well against Jannik. He hits the ball far. He’s a very strong hitter, but I feel like I always hit the ball very well against his ball,” explained the American, who had never made it past the quarterfinals of a major before this US Open.
Sinner won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and reached his second Grand Slam final in 2024 despite controversy over two failed doping tests.
He has a flawless record in finals this year, winning all five finals, including titles in Rotterdam, Halle, Miami and Cincinnati, as well as his victory in Melbourne.
Sinner worries about the wrist
At 23, he has 54 wins and just five losses this season. He is looking forward not only to facing Fritz, but also to performing in front of a lively crowd of 23,000 at the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Since he’s in America, the audience will certainly be a little more on his side,” Sinner said.
“But that’s normal. It’s like playing in Italy, so I’ll accept it.”
“I have my team and my people who are close to me. In my mind I know that a lot of people are watching from home in Italy and I just need some support from them.”
One of the Italian’s concerns is the condition of his left wrist, which he injured while catching a fall during his semi-final victory against Briton Jack Draper.
Sinner required a medical time off to treat his injury, but was quickly assured that it would not be a problem on Sunday.
“The physiotherapist loosened it up very quickly on the pitch and it disappeared when we played, which is good,” explained Sinner.
“Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It will feel different then. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. I’m quite relaxed because if it’s something bad, you’ll feel it a bit more.”
Whether American men’s tennis wins or loses on Sunday, Fritz believes it is entering a new golden age, as the country boasts five players in the top 20.
“I think it gives hope and shows that we are close to winning a Grand Slam tournament,” Fritz said.
“We are all moving in the right direction. I believe that when one of us does something, the others follow and the others gain confidence from that. I believe this is just the beginning for all of us.”
