"I'd have had to play really great if I'd played Novak Djokovic" - Taylor Fritz on Serb's early US Open exit facilitating American's run to final
Taylor Fritz spoke up about the early exit of Novak Djokovic from the 2024 US Open, and how it paved the way for him to reach his maiden Grand Slam final. Fritz's words on the subject came after his straight-set defeat at the hands of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the hardcourt Major's final on Sunday, September 8.
Djokovic came into this year's US Open as the defending champion and the No. 2 seed. Fritz, the No. 12 seed at the prestigious event, was in the Serb's half of the draw, and would have potentially clashed against the 24-time Major winner in the semifinals.
However, the Olympic champion's campaign came to an end in the third round, as 28th-seeded Australian Alexei Popyrin surprisingly ousted the Serb and opened up the bottom half of the draw.
Eventually, Fritz would meet, and beat, compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals to reach his first-ever final at a Major. In the final though, the American was no match for World No. 1 and reigning Australian Open champion Sinner. The Italian's ballstriking ferocity and immaculate defense saw Fritz lose 3-6, 4-6, 5-7.
At his post-match press conference, Taylor Fritz reflected on how the early exits of both Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz opened the door for himself and others to muster deep runs at the tournament. The American said that he was not at his best over the course of the two weeks in Flushing Meadows, despite having reached the final.
"Obviously Carlos and Novak and some people lost early on in the tournament so it really opened up the draw a lot. You can only beat who's in front of you, but I think it's really positive for me because I don't feel at any specific point in these two weeks, I don't feel I was playing amazing tennis. I feel I was playing solid, nothing special," Taylor Fritz said.
"I feel like I haven't been hitting my backhand as good as I'd like to, haven't been serving as good as I'd like to. Luckily, I could still get away with it but maybe it is a bit more open," he added.
The American also suggested that had he faced Djokovic at the hard-court Major, he would have had to play at his best to have any chance of progressing.
"I don't think you have to play unbelievable to go deep in tournaments and contend. Like I said, it's different. Like I said, Novak and Carlos lost. I would have had to play a really really great match if I'd have happened to play Novak somewhere else in the draw, but like I said, you can find yourself a little deeper in the draws like quarterfinals and stuff if you play solid tennis. I still think that to beat the top guys, you need to bring your best game," Taylor Fritz concluded.
Taylor Fritz has never won a match against Novak Djokovic
Taylor Fritz has faced Novak Djokovic on nine occasions so far on the ATP Tour, and has ended up on the losing side every single time. Across those nine meetings, the American was only able to take three sets off of the Serb.
At the Grand Slam stage, Fritz and Djokovic have squared off three times, with their latest meeting coming in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year. On that occasion, the 2022 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) winner tested the 24-time Major champion and took the match to four sets. However, it still wasn't enough for him to snap his losing streak against the Serb.
Off the court, Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic share a relationship of mutual respect. The American and his team guided the Serb through a surgery earlier this year, which the latter had to undergo to treat a torn meniscus in his knee and get ready in time for the Wimbledon Championships.
The Serb also congratulated Fritz for his run to the final of the 2024 US Open after his loss to Sinner.