America’s Taylor Fritz proved that dreams do come true. After hovering around the tournament’s quarterfinals for years, this ATP star finally broke through to the last eight in New York. Despite achieving a milestone he had long pursued, Fritz continued to inspire everyone with his humble and grounded demeanor. When asked about the secret to his mindset, the ever-polite Fritz mentioned his matches with Novak Djokovic, emphasizing how failures often provide life’s most valuable lessons.

Fritz made a buzz among the tennis community after entering the ongoing US Open‘s semifinals. The American player offered a promising game and defeated Alexander Zverev by 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, and 7-6. Now, everyone is waiting for the all-American US Open semifinals between him and Tiafoe. Ranked No. 12 by the ATP, he has played in several important tournaments this season but only advanced past the quarterfinals in Madrid. At the 2024 Australian Open, he was stopped by Djokovic in the quarterfinals. In the Italian Open, Zverev once again ended his run at the quarterfinal stage. At Wimbledon, Lorenzo Musetti dashed his Grand Slam hopes in yet another quarterfinal finish. After a string of bad luck, particularly in quarterfinal matches, Fritz found his first glimmer of hope at the US Open. Yet, despite this newfound hope, he has maintained a calm and humble demeanor—for a rather interesting reason.

After winning the quarterfinals, Taylor Fritz attended a press conference at the American Slam. Here he spoke about how on-court encounters with Djokovic helped him to keep his feet on the soil. “Well every time I was in the quarters I played Djokovic and I think that’s what that was my like way to just like protect my ego but then I got a look at Wimbledon where I didn’t play Novak in a quarter,” said Fritz.

While admiring Djokovic’s skills interestingly Fritz offered a more humble outlook when he talked about his friends’ successes. This ATP star revealed how such successes ignited his motivation and offered him confidence.

Taylor Fritz feels “genuinely like really happy” for his friends

Fritz might have reached the first step toward his dream but his attitude has remained the same. While he mentioned how his matches with Djokovic made him grounded and focused, his revelations about his friends, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe’s success show his politeness. “It was always just genuinely like really happy for my friends to see them have big success, and if anything, it always gave me the confidence that I can do it too,” Fritz said in the press conference. Despite the competition, Fritz’s statement represented genuine care for Tiafoe and Paul.

However, the 26-year-old feels his work is yet to be done. For that, he doesn’t want to lose focus with the buzz around his quarterfinal victory. “It’s cool I’m in the semis. But I very much have the mindset of ‘the job’s not done,” he said.

Taylor Fritz has delivered an impressive performance at the ongoing US Open. His positive attitude and strong form suggest he’s well-equipped to take down any opponent. If he continues at this level, he might soon fulfill his Grand Slam dream.