American tennis had a week to remember at the United Cup 2025. The tournament favorites lived up to their billing, with Team USA claiming their second title in three years. The final on January 5 saw the United States overpower Poland 2-0, thanks to Coco Gauff’s commanding victory over Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz’s nail-biting win against Hubert Hurkacz. After their win, the Team revealed their secret mantra to success.!

After Gauff’s victory over the world’s No. 2 with a score line of 6-4, 6-4, the pressure was on Fritz to bring it home for Team USA. The match against Hurkacz was a true test of resolve. Both players were dominant on serve, with each winning over 80% of their first-serve points. Opportunities to break were scarce, but Fritz kept his composure when it mattered most.

In the third-set tiebreak, Hurkacz grabbed an early mini-break at 2/0. But Fritz turned on the “clutch mode,” to win the match 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4). After their victory, in a press conference, Taylor Fritz was asked about the close match that made them champions.

Denis Kudla replied cheekily with the slogan, “You just don’t doubt Fritz,” which Coco Gauff also echoed, saying, “don’t doubt Taylor Fritz.”

Amidst the fun the World No.4 reflected on the match and explained his approach: “The key is just trying to get on to some of his serves, get myself in as many points as possible, trying to get free points on my serve, which I didn’t do a great job of in the breaker. But I was able to tough out some of those second-serve points and just kind of make him have to beat me.”

With such a good start to the season, his first Grand Slam title might not be too far away.

Taylor Fritz rates his performance ahead of the Australian Open

This United Cup victory is more than just another trophy for Fritz. It’s a springboard for the Australian Open, starting next week. Last season, the 27-year-old came agonizingly close to his first Grand Slam title, as he became the first American to reach the finals of the US Open after Andy Rodrick in 2006. Though he ultimately fell to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, the run proved Fritz’s readiness to compete at the sport’s highest level.

In Melbourne last year, Fritz reached the quarterfinals before running into Novak Djokovic. Though he exited at the hands of one of the sport’s greats, he showed flashes of brilliance that have since translated into a career-best season. Rising from No. 10 to a peak of No. 4 in the ATP rankings, Fritz’s progress has been undeniable.

In the press conference after their victory at the United Cup, he was asked about his performance. Fritz believes that serving will be key to his chances in Australia. “I’d say I’m at, like, a 7,” he said when asked to rate his form heading into the Open. “I think I’m serving really, really well. I’m really happy with how I’m serving. So I’d say that’s a 9, 9.5.” Still, he’s keeping a sharp eye on other areas of his game.

“Just in that last match today, I think I moved the best I have moved all week, so I think that’s an improvement. I think normally, for me, when I play more matches, I start to move a bit better the more I play. But yeah, I think just groundstrokes, hitting the ball, returning. There are some things I could do a bit better.”

Fritz’s first Grand Slam title won’t come easy, though. Melbourne is stacked with competition, from defending champion Sinner to seasoned veterans like Djokovic and rising stars, such as Carlos Alcaraz. But if Fritz’s performance at the United Cup is any indication, he’s ready to make his mark. As Coco Gauff said, “Don’t doubt Fritz!”