Fritz aims to regain form at US Open
The United States has advanced to the quarterfinals of three of the last four major tournaments.
August 24, 2024
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Taylor Fritz’s recent Grand Slam success began at last year’s US Open.
By Vishaka Khandelwal
Taylor Fritz is hoping a return to the Grand Slam stage can be the catalyst he needs after suffering back-to-back early defeats at the ATP Masters 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati.
Fritz, who is making his ninth appearance in the US Open main draw, is excited to be back in New York and on the Grand Slam stage. He has enjoyed consistent success on the Grand Slam stage this year, reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and Wimbledon and the fourth round at Roland Garros.
The California native, who recently won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics (with Tommy Paul), is currently the highest-ranked American in the PIF ATP Rankings, sitting at No. 12. Despite winning just one match in Montreal and Cincinnati, with losses to compatriots Brandon Nakashima and Sebastian Korda, Fritz is hoping to have a “big week” at the US Open.
“Obviously I’m really excited to be here. It’s like the biggest week for American players,” last year’s US Open quarterfinalist said at a pre-tournament press conference on Friday.
“Yeah, my first Slam, I was a quarterfinalist here. It just feels good. When I came here last year, I just felt like I needed a result at a Slam. My results at the Slam last year were really bad. So I felt like I needed a good result.
“My Slam performance this year has been pretty solid. I think I’ve been doing well at Slams. I’ve won three out of five sets.
“I feel good. I feel pretty confident going into big tournaments now.”
Fritz’s attempt to reach the quarterfinals last year was ultimately ended by eventual champion Novak Djokovic, who won his 24th Grand Slam singles title at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It’s crazy to win that much and keep doing that consistently,” Fritz said. “It’s like your baseline average has to be so much better than everyone else’s. It’s telling you how much better someone is than everyone else (laughs). There are so many people just trying to get that one, trying to get one or two or two.
“It’s amazing,” he said of the four-time U.S. Open champion. “And of course, the discipline he has throughout the year to never be satisfied and always want more is very impressive in itself.”
The former top-five player is seeded to face eighth-seeded Kasper Rudd of Norway in the quarterfinals. He is also set to face 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
Fritz begins his US Open campaign on Monday against Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
