"Pick a consistent position" - Journalist calls out USTA's 'victory lap' for Taylor Fritz & Frances Tiafoe's US Open SF while slashing player budget
Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim has called out the USTA (United States Tennis Association) for celebrating Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe's success at the 2024 US Open, despite their role in impeding player development. Fritz and Tiafoe are set to lock horns in a blockbuster semifinal clash at the New York Major.
After a poor 0-4 record in the Grand Slam quarterfinals, Fritz finally broke through with an impressive 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) win over Alexander Zverev to advance to his maiden Major semifinal. Tiafoe joined his compatriot in the final four after Grigor Dimitrov retired from their quarterfinal clash due to injury, with the American leading 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1.
Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe have made history by setting the stage for the first all-American semifinal at a Grand Slam since Andre Agassi and Robert Ginepri battled it out for a place in the 2005 US Open final. The winner of the highly anticipated clash will also become the first American man to reach a Major final since Andy Roddick's loss to Roger Federer in the title clash at Wimbledon 2009.
With Fritz and Tiafoe's semifinal clash scheduled for Friday, September 6, the US Open promoted the much-awaited battle on social media. However, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim criticized the USTA for taking a "victory lap" over the American duo's success while slashing the player development budget.
"Seriously, @usta needs to pick a consistent position here. If you want to take a victory lap for American success, great. But then don’t say "We are cutting the player development budget. We are not responsible for building champions,"" Wertheim posted on X.
"Hopefully, it's me" - Frances Tiafoe on battling it out against Taylor Fritz for a place in US Open 2024 final
Looking ahead to his semifinal clash against Taylor Fritz at the 2024 US Open, Frances Tiafoe disclosed that he is anticipating a "tough" contest with his compatriot.
"He's tough, man. He's a tough player. He plays great from both sides, has a great serve, he's moving much better now. It's going to be tough," Tiafoe told the press.
The 26-year-old also disclosed that he is hopeful of becoming the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships.
"It's only a matter of time you put yourself in positions like, it's only a matter of time. The game is open[...] It's pretty exciting, first potential time, well first time since 09, and, yeah, hopefully, it's me," he said.
Despite Frances Tiafoe's optimism, he faces a formidable challenge as Taylor Fritz holds a dominant 6-1 lead in their head-to-head record, including a 6-3, 6-4 victory in their most recent encounter in the 2023 Acapulco quarterfinals. The winner between Fritz and Tiafoe will face Jannik Sinner or Jack Draper in the final at the New York Major.