Having natural ability, physical fitness, and dedication is far from sufficient to secure a Grand Slam singles title.
The inner certainty that you can conquer any opponent on the grandest platform—with the global spotlight shining directly on you and nowhere to escape—is perhaps the single most vital trait for any competitor.
An absolute, unshakable faith. Or, in the words of past US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, sheer self-delusion.
Fritz belongs to the present group of elite players who have yet to capture one of tennis’s premier crowns. Ranked tenth globally, he is also among those who missed out on what seemed like a prime chance to claim the trophy at this season’s US Open.
Given Jannik Sinner’s absence due to physical issues and Carlos Alcaraz returning after an extended break, the event seemed primed for the top-seeded contenders to take full advantage.
Instead, the fourth round at Flushing Meadows saw the departure of six top-10 seeds, including Fritz, who let a two-set advantage slip away against Argentine opponent Francisco Cerundolo in the third round.
Following the Sunday elimination of past champion Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16, the sole top-10 competitors left in the draw are the top seed Alexander Zverev, the reigning titleholder Alcaraz, and the eighth-seeded Ben Shelton.
“It demonstrates the incredible balance of the tour, how close every single contest is, and how hard you have to fight for a victory,” remarked the 24th seed, Cerundolo.
“At this point, absolutely anything is possible.”
