New York, of all places, is experiencing the first all-American semifinal at a Grand Slam in two decades – and with it a turning point in men’s tennis.
New York/Vienna. Who will New Yorkers cheer for? Which fellow countryman would they rather see in the final of their US Open? Taylor Fritz, the lithe 26-year-old from Southern California, or Frances Tiafoe, the 26-year-old son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, who lives the American dream, plays the rock star on Centre Court – and thus has a few ball prints more in the favour of the crowd in Flushing Meadows?
One thing is certain: one of this duo will win the first all-American Grand Slam semifinal since the 2005 US Open (Andre Agassi defeated Robby Ginepri) on Friday (9 p.m. Central European Time, live Sky, sportdeutschland.tv) and will be the first US tennis pro to reach a major final in 15 years. Andy Roddick lost the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer. The now 42-year-old was also the one who celebrated the last Grand Slam title for the US men – in 2003 at the US Open.
Taylor Fritz on a high. Imago
A Roddick compatriot in the New York final is a turning point in several respects. Firstly, it is the next clear indication that men’s tennis is more open than it has been for a long time since the end of the “Big Three” (for the first time since 2002, the trio Federer-Nadal-Djokovic will not win a Grand Slam tournament this year). Furthermore, after years of predictions, US men’s tennis is finally returning to the top of the world – two decades after the US era, when the country dominated tennis thanks to its prosperity and population size, came to an end.
New York champion Roddick held the flag high for a while, including at the US Open, where he played in a final again in 2006 (losing to Federer). Thanks to his detailed knowledge and his quick tongue, the powerful server with the baseball cap is now a celebrated expert who also provides numerous professionals with service advice in the background. But the last American number one in the world never had any real heirs on the court.
US Open spectator Andy Roddick. APA
Only after the US Tennis Association took countermeasures at a late stage did talents like Fritz and Tiafoe start to climb back up the rankings. But at first they couldn’t get past the “Big Three” either, and recently the young Europeans Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner proved to be too powerful. But at least there are currently five Americans in the world’s top 20 for the first time since 1997: the US Open semi-finalists Fritz (12) and Tiafoe (20), as well as Ben Shelton (13), Tommy Paul (14) and Sebastian Korda (16).
“The biggest game of our lives. I know we’re both Americans, but I hope you’re all on my side.”
Frances Tiafoe
In the upcoming semi-final duel in New York, Fritz has the advantage, at least in terms of playing. Since his youth, he has competed against Tiafoe, who is the same age and was once clearly stronger. The tables have now turned; Fritz has not lost to his friend since 2016, and in direct duels he is 6:1, with his serve and forehand in particular being stronger than Tiafoe’s. Tiafoe, on the other hand, has greater star potential and knows how to captivate the audience. US commentators were reminded of a preacher who moves the masses at Sunday mass during his appearances in Flushing Meadows. They call him “Big Foe”.
New York’s finest moments
The American tennis dream is alive and well, and the opportunity seems to have arrived after Alcaraz and Djokovic retired as title winners of the past two years. Until that time actually comes, they will be in New York to commemorate Roddick’s title in 2003 (final victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero) and the last all-American final in 2002, when Pete Sampras defeated his long-time rival Andre Agassi in his last professional match – one of the greatest sporting moments under the Stars and Stripes.
