So far, it has been a promising campaign for American men at the US Open this year! Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul have looked quite sharp in this tournament so far. Can one of them break the jinx and become the first man to win the US Open title after Andy Roddick (2003)? To break the curse, they will need a magical touch! Who better to show them the secret path to glory than the 6-time US Open, champion, Serena Williams? Recently, Fritz and Tiafoe were caught up in a single frame with the ‘Queen of the Court’.

Williams’ return to the US Open as a fan has not only been an exciting news to the fans but also to the players! Several players like Caroline Wozniacki and Iga Swiatek spoke about how “nice” it was to see her back at this venue. Williams was recently seen chatting with Swiatek at the players’ gym ahead of the Polish tennis star’s R3 match. Explaining that special moment Swiatek said, “Even though we met before and for, like, couple of years we have been on the same sides and on tour together, she’s still, like, star-striking me.” Serena Williams was also spotted chatting with Frances Tiafoe.

Tiafoe has always been a big fan of Williams. Once he was even heard saying, “I mean for me I kind of want to emulate that in my way. I don’t think I am where I am without those two (Williams sisters).” Later on, Fritz was spotted joining them and also gave Williams a hug. Is that the magical touch they have been looking for in this tournament? Time will tell, Fritz has already qualified for the QF. All he now wants is to take “one match at a time“.

However, this isn’t the first time that these three tennis stars managed to sneak into the headlines! In May, Taylor Fritz posted some photos on his IG account that featured his visit to a renowned Italian restaurant, Taverna Trilussca. Shortly after putting up that post, Williams and Tiafoe also expressed their fondness for that same restaurant. Williams commented, “That’s my fav place!!! Save me some!” while Frances Tiafoe joked that it was basically a “players lounge.”

Coming back to tennis yet again, last year we heard Fritz say, “It would be great to see someone on the men’s side winning Grand Slams and contending for the number-one spot in the world.” He made it to the QF in the 2023 season. Can he take a step further this time? Well, Williams’ former coach had already predicted a year ago, that Fritz will be the next big thing in American tennis!

“He’s here to stay” – Serena Williams’ former coach heaps praise on Taylor Fritz

Fritz has always been a big admirer of Serena Williams. He once said, “For me, yes (Serena Williams is the GOAT in women’s tennis) because I didn’t live to experience Steffi Graf or the other ones that have won similar amount of Slams.” The 26-year-old American went on to add, “Just the name Serena is powerful and when you hear Serena around the world you know who they are talking about, she brings power to her name. It’s passion, it’s power, it’s everything. So, for sure yeah, she is the GOAT for me, plain and simple.”

Fritz always loved the way Williams brought passion to the tennis courts. Talking about winners, even Rick Macci thinks Fritz has the potential to win big titles. In 2023, he heaped praise on the youngster during an interview, saying, “He’s (Fritz) not going away as a competitor, and that’s what I like. But he can grab a grand slammers too; there’s no doubt about it he’s in the mix.” The renowned coach thinks he’s a real threat when it comes to men’s tennis. “He’s here to stay“, added the 69-year-old.

Taylor Fritz (12) is currently America’s number one in men’s tennis. There are five American men in the Top 20 at the moment. Out of those five, only three are still alive at the 2024 US Open. Do these guys ever talk about how it’s been almost 21 years since an American man won this major title? Well in reply, Fritz once revealed that they don’t talk about this much, however, they all are well aware of this fact and they use it as privately as a motivation. Can Serena Williams’ magical touch bring glory to American men’s tennis?