Will Taylor Fritz vs. Frances Tiafoe finally create an Andy Roddick successor at a Grand Slam?
After 15 years, an American man is confirmed to reach a Grand Slam final. Will it be Taylor Fritz or Frances Tiafoe? What really matters is winning the title on Sunday.
No one seems to be more weary of hearing Andy Roddick’s name than Roddick himself at this time of year.
The retired tennis star and current podcaster remains the last American man to secure a Grand Slam singles title. Since he called it quits over a decade ago, no one has come close to battling for the victory in a final match, especially at the U.S. Open, where Roddick’s 2003 win serves not as a triumphant reminder for American men’s tennis, but as a yearly reflection on the dry spell that followed his departure.
And he’s grown weary of it.
“I want it all to end,” Roddick expressed in his latest episode of “Served with Andy Roddick.”
“I’ve gotten more juice out of the squeeze than any human has gotten out of anything ever. I’d love nothing more than for an American to win on Sunday. I hate it; I feel anxious every time they have to respond to it. I (expletive) hate it for them. I want them to have it.”
For the first time in 15 years, there is a real chance Roddick will no longer have to shoulder this burden.
This Friday, the U.S. Open semifinal matchup between No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz and No. 20 seed Frances Tiafoe represents a significant moment in modern men’s tennis. Regardless of the outcome, an American flag will be present at a Grand Slam final.
It’s truly about time.
No disrespect to Roddick, who had an impressive career with 32 ATP titles, a No. 1 ranking, five Grand Slam finals, and might have had an even brighter legacy if not hindered by arguably the greatest player of all time, Roger Federer. However, 21 years is well past the point where a former Grand Slam champion should dominate the conversation.
In a country of 333 million that has produced elite athletes in almost every major sport—including women’s tennis—it is both surprising and disappointing that this ongoing drought of Slam victories has lasted long enough to be considered legal drinking age.
For the sake of everyone involved, can we please put this century-long question to rest? It doesn’t even matter who wins. Taylor? Frances? Let them duke it out on Friday, and then go win it all on Sunday.
At this stage, it’s about more than just American pride. It’s crucial so that none of the current players—including Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda, Tommy Paul, and those who follow—ever have to answer that question again.
“We talk about it openly,” Tiafoe mentioned after defeating Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals. “We’ve all been on the brink. Taylor has been fluctuating in the top 10, I was there this time last year. Ben is incredibly talented. It’s only a matter of time. And the competition is diverse now. It’s not the same as it used to be, where if you made it to the quarterfinals, and faced Rafa (Nadal) you were already thinking of your flight home. That’s just how it is now. It’s different, and there’s no one who is unbeatable, especially later in the season when players might be worn out and more vulnerable. It’s pretty exhilarating.”
I’ll admit: Although it’s true that the landscape of men’s tennis has changed with Nadal and Federer aging out and Novak Djokovic not far behind, I didn’t expect any of the Americans from the Tiafoe/Fritz era to be the ones to break the long drought. The gap between their achievements and the younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner seemed just too wide.
But perhaps it’s not as impossible as it seems. While Alcaraz exited the U.S. Open earlier than expected, Sinner remains a contender, looking to secure his second Slam title this year. It’s worth noting that he is currently favored to claim victory.
However, either Fritz or Tiafoe winning it all is no longer far-fetched. Both are performing exceptionally well on the court and have defeated Sinner in the past. Whoever triumphs in their semifinal will undoubtedly have the entire stadium—and indeed, the whole nation—rooting for them on Sunday.
“It would be amazing for the fans to ensure that one of us reaches the finals,” Fritz commented after his quarterfinal win.
American fans absolutely deserve it. Given the historical achievements of American men in tennis, from Arthur Ashe to Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe to the Andre Agassi-Pete Sampras rivalry, this prolonged wait feels excessively long.
The reasons for this 20-year slump have been scrutinized as thoroughly as any significant event in history, with numerous theories and justifications available. As the sport became more globalized, it became harder for Americans (similar to Australians) to maintain their edge. Players from Europe are accustomed to clay courts, which helps them develop point-building skills better than the typical serve-and-forehand strategy prevalent in American tennis. The USTA development system has faced criticisms for either not doing enough or perhaps doing too much. Tennis
The expenses are too high, leading many top young athletes to pursue different sports.
Another reason could be that American talent had limited opportunities while three of the greatest players of all time dominated the sport, clinching nearly all major titles.
However, change is on the horizon. Perhaps, this weekend will mark a turning point. If it does, it could be a narrative that reinforces the potential relevance of American tennis.
Fritz is destined for greatness. With parents who were both professional tennis players, he has been primed since childhood to capture prestigious titles.
Tiafoe, on the other hand, is the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, who took up tennis because his father worked as a maintenance man at a tennis complex in College Park, Maryland.
In America, both journeys toward athletic achievement are viable. And on the final Sunday, one of them will come closer to achieving tennis’s highest honor than any American man has since Roddick endured a heart-wrenching five-set defeat against Federer at Wimbledon in 2009.
It’s time for American tennis to set new records instead of reminiscing about trophies won over two decades ago. Even Roddick shares this sentiment.
Follow Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken