He doesn't have a Grand Slam title to his name yet, but considering his rise in recent years, Taylor Fritz is inching closer and closer to that stratosphere of tennis glory.
Fritz, of course, isn't the only American on the ATP Tour who has spent the past two to three years climbing up the rankings, making their name more popular, and adding titles to their bag.
That said, scouring the top 20 rankings and which Americans are there, Fritz is the one who best gives the country the best hope in the form of a future Grand Slam champion.
Taylor Fritz versus the competition
The top 20 players in the ATP rankings currently have more than a couple of American representatives. There are four, in fact—Tommy Paul (13), Ben Shelton (14), Frances Tiafoe (17), and Taylor Fritz (4). Tiafoe has been playing his way into a consistent competitor for several years, mirroring Fritz, who turned pro in 2015. All four players have multiple titles under their belts, bringing a different element to the court.
Shelton is aggressive, and his left hand can produce powerful and timely shots. Tiafoe brings the same amount of emotion and energy he plays with. Paul knows how to dictate points and uses his top-tier athleticism as a strength.
All three have strong attributes that have not only won them titles but propelled them into being some of the top-ranked players in the world. Where does Fritz land among them? Well, above the others.
America's next No.1
After Pete Sampras walked away, Andy Roddick was America's best representation on the court and held it for a lengthy run. He was never considered the best player in the world, despite being ranked No.1 for 13 consecutive weeks in 2003 and having won one Grand Slam. Still, he held America's hopes in that superhuman-powered serve that could produce ace after ace for several years.
Not since Roddick made his exit in 2012 has America had someone on the men's side (one could argue that Serena Williams held America's hopes for tennis in general, and did she ever come through) who could take up for the nation and be the countries top image to latch on to on the tennis court. That is, until now, with Fritz threatening to take up that mantle.
Is he as great as Sampras? No. Does he hit the ball and serve with the force and violence that Roddick did? No. However, Fritz's game comprises other intangibles and skill sets that just so happen to have led to what Tiafoe, Shelton, or Paul haven't accomplished: a Masters 1000 title and Grand Slam finals appearance.
Fritz won Indian Wells in 2022 and was the runner-up in last year's US Open. On top of that, Fritz leads the other three in titles (8), overall prize earnings ($24,027,758), and match wins (298). He's also the only one of the group to be ranked as high as four, where he currently resides.
Put aside the numbers and achievements, and Fritz plays at a higher quality and pace than his compatriots. It should be no surprise if he breaks through this year or the following year in the Grand Slams. As the best American male in tennis, no threatening figures behind him fly the same flag. Fritz is on top, and he will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.