Taylor Fritz has been steadily climbing the ranks on the ATP Tour since 2018. He progressed from being outside the top 100 in 2017 to breaking into the top 10 after the ’22 and ’23 seasons.
Despite this, Fritz had never advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam until the 2024 U.S. Open. With a victory over Alexander Zverev, Fritz secured his spot in the semifinals.
His improvement can be attributed in part to his focus on movement, a key aspect emphasized by his coach Michael Russell. Russell, a former ATP Tour player, achieved a career-high ranking of No. 60 and was known for his exceptional movement on the court.
Initially a weakness in Fritz’s game, his movement has significantly improved under Russell’s guidance. This has allowed Fritz to work on transitioning from the baseline to the net, a strategy that has started to pay off in crucial moments.
Looking ahead to his semifinal match against Frances Tiafoe, Fritz faces a challenge in adapting his game to match Tiafoe’s versatile style of play. If Fritz can match Tiafoe’s skill in all areas of the court, he has the potential to reach his first Grand Slam final.
