Jannik Sinner’s straightforward win over Taylor Fritz in the final of the US Open ended the possibility of a longstanding American dream being realised. There hasn’t been a male singles Grand Slam champion from the USA in 21 years, and Fritz’s run to the summit clash had raised hope among American tennis fans that the drought would finally be over.
It is, indeed, quite a dry spell for a country accustomed to celebrating the triumphs of American men for decades. From the 1970s to the early 2000s, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi claimed 41 Major titles between them.
Grand tradition
American tennis supporters of an older vintage witnessed the establishment of a grand tradition, with Bill Tilden, who dominated the 1920s and became the first man to win 10 Grand Slam crowns, and Don Budge, who collected a record six Majors in a row (1937-38), following Richard Sears and William Larned, who had claimed seven Majors each.
But the rich catalogue of American men winning tennis’ four biggest tournaments hasn’t had an entry since 2003, when Andy Roddick triumphed at Flushing Meadows. Fritz was five years old at the time. The last man before Fritz to even contest a Grand Slam final was also Roddick, who lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009.
“I would love nothing more,” Roddick said on his podcast before the final, “than for an American to win on Sunday. … I get this anxious feeling every time they have to answer for it.”
Although Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, couldn’t keep up with Sinner, the progress he made in New York was undeniable. He beat two top-10 opponents — former finalists Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev — en route to his first Grand Slam semifinal, where he took down compatriot Frances Tiafoe. After four unsuccessful quarterfinal appearances at the Majors, which suggested he had hit a ceiling, it was just the breakthrough Fritz wanted.
“I know we have been waiting for a champion for a long time so I’m sorry I couldn’t get it done this time,” he told a supportive crowd after his runner-up finish. “But I’m going to keep working and hopefully I’ll get it done next time.”
Does Fritz have what it takes, however, to “get it done next time”?
The big game: At 6’5”, the American is armed with a powerful serve and forehand — not uncommon at the elite level but enough to work with. | Photo credit: Getty Images
At 6’5”, the American is armed with a…