Fritz reveals the lesson he learned from his defeat against Alcaraz

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 1 Sep 2025 | 04.09

Taylor Fritz at the US Open 2025. Photo: Getty

Streaming ATP Finals MD live tennis

🎾 Heliovaara/Patten vs Salisbury/Skupski

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Taylor Fritz does not give in. He is the only American who remains standing in this US Open 2025, advancing rapidly round after round in Flushing Meadows. His latest impressive display was a convincing three-set victory over Tomas Machac, to whom he did not give any chances.

The world number 4 has become one of the most consistent figures on the circuit and, except for some surprising defeats, Fritz has been present at the major events of the season. This will be the case at the Grand Slam where he is the local favorite, facing Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

"The last time we played, he got a lot of free points with his serve. I did a very good job on returns, not only with court returns but also with deep shots. I played a very solid match. He can fluctuate quite a bit, his peak level is very high, an opponent very intimidating to play in the round of 16, but sometimes he doesn't have his best day," said the American in a press conference.

His head-to-head with Novak Djokovic

"Our encounters have been over many years. The first time, almost seven or eight times I played against him, I probably wasn't good enough to have many chances, unless I had the best day of my life and he had a bad day. Only in the last two times we have played I have been the better player, able to compete and have opportunities. The last time we played, I think it was in Shanghai, I had opportunities, I had set points in the second set. I should have won the second set, taken it to the third set.

What makes it difficult is that he serves well, is aggressive on second serves. It is difficult to take advantage of your serve because of how well he returns and hits from the baseline. He backs it up incredibly well with his serve, so sometimes it is difficult to overcome him as he does with his returns."

A 10-0 in favor of Djokovic

"In my head, I don't think about all the losses I suffered against Novak five years ago. I was nowhere near the level of player I am now. What I remember vividly is when we faced each other at the ATP Finals. I know that in the last matches we've played, there have been occasions. I just haven't been able to capitalize on the important moments. That's what makes the best, the best. They don’t give you the victory in those moments."

The level of the Serbian

"I wouldn't say Novak's aura as Novak has faded at all. Whatever happens, he is still present, and it is always recognized that he is Novak and holds practically all tennis records. That will never change. What has changed is that there are now some players who are evolving and capable of beating him. I still believe that when it comes to the Grand Slams, the level remains the same as before."

Lessons learned

"I have played a lot against him, so the last two times I only think about myself. The most important thing I need to think about, different from other matches I play, is that in those difficult moments I need to play more to win and not lose. I learned this after the defeat at Wimbledon against Carlos, that in those moments, when you play against someone who is where they are for a reason, they are not going to give up control, they are not going to make a random error in an important point.

You have to pull the trigger and go out to win. Beyond that minor detail, it is very much like playing any other match and playing with my own control, because I believe that my level of play allows me to do it and win."