The American has long hovered on the edge of something bigger – at Wimbledon he appears to have grown into the player he always hinted at becoming
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aylor Fritz has spent much of his decade-long professional career just outside the tennis elite: close enough to peer in, but not quite break through. That may be about to change. On Friday, the 27-year-old American will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon semi-finals, his biggest match on grass to date and a chance to take down the two-time defending champion.
It promises an attractive clash of styles: Fritz, the power-serving baseliner ranked No 5 in the world, who has sent down 95 aces, the second-most in the tournament. Alcaraz, the all-court magician from Spain riding a 23-match win streak (including 19 in a row at the All England Club), has returned superbly all fortnight, winning 31% of his return games and landing 71% of returns in play. But if tennis were that simple and form and numbers alone determined outcomes, Centre Court wouldn’t offer up the theatre it so consistently does.
The third career meeting between Fritz and Alcaraz – the Spaniard has won the previous two – will hinge on more than serve speeds or spin rates. Both men have grown into the tournament mentally as much as physically. Alcaraz began with a shaky serve but rediscovered his rhythm in the fourth round against Andrey Rublev. Fritz, who twice survived elimination during a pair of late-night five-setters on No 1 Court in the opening two rounds, has quietly found his best level just as the stakes have risen.
