For a brief moment in September 2024, American men’s tennis appeared to finally be turning a corner. Taylor Fritz advanced to the finals of the US Open, becoming the first American man to represent the country in the final of the home Grand Slam since 2006.
He had beaten fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals, the first time multiple Americans made the semifinals since 2005.
Fritz, however, would face reality in the final, losing to Jannik Sinner in straight sets. A year later, and the Americans appear to have taken another step back while the kings of the past and present remain.
All American men have been knocked out of the US Open semifinals before the semis after Fritz, the top-ranked American, fell to Novak Djokovic in Tuesday’s quarterfinal. Tiafoe’s miraculous semifinals run in 2022 was the only other time an American man reached the final four since Andy Roddick’s 2006 finals run.
Fritz was the only American man to even reach the second week of the Grand Slam this year, with Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Tommy Paul all bowing out in the third round.
American success tends to drive domestic viewership numbers for sporting events like tennis, though US Open broadcast partner ESPN may not have to worry too much this time around. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz remain in the draw and are on a collision course to meet in the final for the fifth time this year.
It would be their third Grand Slam final duel this calendar year as well, a feat that two players have never achieved in tennis history.
Women Keep Hope Alive
As is often the case, women are keeping the hope alive for U.S. tennis. Two women remain: Jessica Pegula, who advanced to the semifinals, and Amanda Anisimova, who plays in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
However, they face stiff competition as Pegula will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka while Anisimova has to battle world No. 2 Iga Świątek, who did not even allow the American to take a game during their meeting in the Wimbledon final in July.
Coco Gauff, who won last year’s US Open, lost to Naomi Osaka over the weekend.
