“Props to Taylor Fritz, he’s going to finish number four in the world, which is a career-high, that is a step,” is how former American pro Andy Roddick expressed pride in Taylor Fritz. The sensational ATP star waived his flag higher as he did not only make it to the ATP Finals championship match, but also amassed 50 wins in a second consecutive season. While the setback defeat against Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals brought mixed reactions towards him, Roger Federer’s ex-coach was determined enough to rebuild his spirits.

Taylor Fritz solidified his place among the world’s best after a remarkable 2024 season. He is the first American to finish the season ranked no. 4, after Andy Roddick in 2007. His incredible run at the ATP Finals also turned out to be a major highlight where he defeated top players like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev to reach the championship match. In a recent episode of the Tennis Channel Inside In podcast (21st November), his coach Paul Annacone said, “It’s been an amazing year for Taylor. To finish four in the world is pretty spectacular, and the way to do it, especially playing so well with the top eight players in the world and getting to the finals, and having two huge wins over Medvedev and Zverev to get there, let alone Alex demon or, it’s just an amazing cap to a wonderful year of a lot of hard work.”

Annacone highlighted Fritz’s balanced growth as a player and a person. “When you listen to him talk now, you can hear that it’s a different Taylor Fritz,” he said. “He understands so much more about himself and his game. That when he’s in these moments, he actually believes he’s got a really good chance, and he doesn’t have to play better than he is.” Annacone also credited his team, saying, “I’ve been really lucky. I started my relationship with Taylor, with David Nankin, who did so many great years of building a foundation with Taylor. Nanks really helped me get up to speed and then get very involved in what was going on. And now, you know, I’ve been very fortunate to be involved with Michael Russell and Wolfgang Oswald.”

Fritz’s career-best performance in the ATP Finals helped him become the first American to reach the final since James Blake in 2006. Although he had to face a setback against Jannik Sinner, his performance turned out to be commendable. Sinner dominated the match by serving exceptionally well and winning in straight sets. Fritz acknowledged Sinner’s brilliance, saying, “He served really well.”

Fritz also achieved another milestone during the ongoing Davis Cup after beating Alex de Minaur to secure his 200th hard-court win. This made him the first American man born in 1990 or later to reach that mark. Annacone summed up Fritz’s year, saying, “Taylor’s done a lot of hard work for a long period of time.” While Sinner lifted the ATP Finals trophy, Fritz had much to celebrate. His wins over Medvedev and Zverev clearly justified that he belongs at the top.

Taylor Fritz unveils the learnings he received after losing to Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner once again proved to be a strong opponent against Taylor Fritz as he took the American down in straight sets at the ATP Finals. The showdown which was a rematch of the US Open final saw Sinner showcasing unstoppable levels and winning 6-4, 6-4. While Fritz fought hard, he ultimately admitted that the better player prevailed on the night. Jim Courier praised Sinner’s exceptional performance, and Fritz had to acknowledge the gap in their games.

Despite the loss, 2024 has been a breakthrough year for Fritz, and he continues to grow as a competitor. His recent performances against the best players in the world underline his potential to claim a major title in the future. Currently, battling at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain, Fritz is highly focused on finishing the season strong and helping Team USA succeed. His current form and determination make him a player to watch closely.

In his post-match press conference, Fritz identified areas for improvement in his game. “I definitely need to get more just explosive, quicker first step,” he said. “If I can just put myself in slightly better chances to break serve, I think that’s going to be a huge improvement.” Fritz also highlighted the need to strengthen his backhand, noting its vulnerability when the balls wear out. “I wasn’t generating enough power on my backhand to keep points neutral,” he admitted. These insights make it clear that he always draws learnings from setbacks against top-ranked rivals.