Taylor Fritz biting the dust at the US Open wouldn’t be entirely appropriate. After all, he became the first American player since Andy Roddick in 2003 to reach the summit clash of a Grand Slam event. Regardless of enjoying stellar success this season, the aftermath of the USO finals wasn’t a pretty picture for Fritz. However, Fritz’s countryman has chimed in to rescue the former of his dispirited feelings, highlighting how glory awaits the American star.

Following a heartbreaking loss to Jannik Sinner at Flushing Meadows, Fritz moved on the next adventure. He entered the Laver Cup, wherein his Team World(after lifting the title for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023) was unable to capitalize on their strengths, losing the contest to Team Europe. Next up, the American sensation commenced his Japan Open campaign. However, as fate would have it, the former World No. 5 was sent packing by Arthur Fils in the opening round.

Amid his recent string of losses, Fritz appeared on the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast where he laid bare the stress he endured while contesting against Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal of the New York Slam. He said, “I’d say the biggest moment, like that feel-good moment was winning the semifinal match, and just it being over because that was genuinely one of the most stressful matches I’ve ever played, like, going into it.” While his hopes of ridding the US of Grand Slam drought bore no fruition, former ATP star Steve Johnson has predicted a fitting conclusion to Fritz’s 2024 season.

Discussing Fritz’s year-end ranking stats, Johnson was quick to project a Top 4 spot for the former while talking on the ‘Nothing Major‘ podcast. Furthermore, the American also noted that the 26-year-old’s formidability has only started to finesse the ATP, with better results awaiting him. “I think he’ll finish four…I don’t think the US Open, final loss, will deter him whatsoever. That is just gonna make him hungrier…With his team around him, you know, there’s no stopping him…So I think he’s a little late in the year to finish ahead of some of those other guys who have won slams. But I think he finishes the year four.”

For those unaware, Johnson’s take on Fritz’s shortcomings stems from the latter’s poignant admission of his US Open heartbreak. Notably, the American star wasn’t happy with his performance and felt like he wasn’t on par with Sinner’s level.

Taylor Fritz on heart-rending US Open loss – ‘I let a lot of people down’

After his quest for concluding his dream run at the US Open ended in near tears, American superstar Taylor Fritz expressed that he “let a lot of people down”. Naturally, being unable to furnish his resume with a Grand Slam silverware was bound to elicit those feelings. As a result, the World No. 7 termed his bitter-sweet emotions in a post-match presser in New York.

He said, “I feel like American fans have been wanting a men’s champion for a long time. I’m pretty upset with how I played. I feel like I almost let a lot of people down. There’s a lot of positives, but I don’t think the disappointment will ever necessarily go away. It’s not disappointment about losing, it’s disappointment about just believing or wishing that I would’ve just played a better match if I lost.”

After an unfitting conclusion to his Japan Open run, Fritz will likely aim to produce better results at the ATP Finals. Having qualified for the annual event, the American will hope to muster his best form and, with it, finish the season on a triumphant note!