Taylor Fritz didn't give a definite answer to if Novak Djokovic can now make it all the way at the US Open but believes the Serb is "excited" about the challenge of likely needing to beat both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for the title.
Playing against Djokovic for the 11th time, Fritz once again failed to register his first win over the former world No. 1 after the record 24-time Grand Slam champion handed him a 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 loss in just less than three and a half hours of play.
With Fritz losing, the hope of seeing an American man win a Grand Slam singles title for the first time since 2003 came to an end. Instead, it will be Djokovic whose chances of becoming the first player with 25 Grand Slams are alive. But to achieve a remarkable feat, the 38-year-old will need to beat Alcaraz in the semifinal, and then very likely Sinner in the final.
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Fritz asked to rate Djokovic's US Open chances
"I think the first three sets, I dont think either one of us played our best. I think that it just depends how much this one took out of him. I really cant speak for him," the American said.
Djokovic has had three Grand Slam semifinal outings earlier this year - he retired injured in the Australian Open semifinal, while Sinner beat him in the French Open and Wimbledon semifinals.
I am not sure, but I was really excited at the fact that is what I was looking at in the draw. I was like, I have the opportunity to do the coolest thing ever and potentially try to go through Novak, Carlos and Sinner. I liked the challenge, so I am sure that being the competitor that he is, is very excited for that challenge," Fritz added.
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Djokovic hasn't won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open, and Sinner and Alcaraz are the biggest reasons behind that.
