Tennis News

Relive Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open triumph

For years, one of the biggest questions in tennis has been when an American man would win a Grand Slam singles title. It has been 21 years since Andy Roddick triumphed at the US Open.

Taylor Fritz, the first American man to reach a major singles final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, has a chance to halt the questions on Sunday when he faces World No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the trophy at Flushing Meadows.

According to Brad Gilbert, who coached Roddick to the title here in 2003, the circumstances are much different.

“I’m not going to say you took it for granted or expected it, but 2002 was an all-American final, and we had so many Americans in the finals of Slams then,” Gilbert told ATPTour.com. “So it wasn’t a stretch. It was that you figured Andy was the new guy.”

Roddick accomplished a lot in his Hall of Fame career, climbing to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings and reaching four additional major finals. But no other American man has broken through since he did more than two decades ago.

When Roddick emerged victorious in New York, Roger Federer had just won his first major title at Wimbledon two months earlier. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were not yet in the spotlight.

“You didn’t know [Roger] was going to become what he was going to become, and then Rafa and Joker. So at that time, I kind of just thought it was normal. It was American dominance,” Gilbert said. “You thought it was going to continue.”

Roddick entered the 2003 US Open in top form, having won back-to-back ATP Masters 1000 titles in Montreal and Cincinnati, including a victory against Federer in Canada. He won 20 of 21 matches leading into the season’s final major.

“Andy played great that whole summer,” Gilbert said.

After reaching the semi-finals with the loss of just one set, Roddick’s dreams of Grand Slam glory nearly came to an early end. He lost the first two sets of his semi-final against David Nalbandian before rallying past the Argentine 6-7(4), 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-1, 6-3.

At 5/6 in the third-set tie-break, Roddick saved match point with a big serve.

“He had to really dig out of a jam in the semi when he was down two sets to none and he was in trouble in that breaker,” Gilbert said.

The coach recalls rain wreaking havoc, forcing Roddick’s final opponent, Juan Carlos Ferrero, to play on four consecutive days.

“That was definitely tricky that he had to do that,” Gilbert said. “[Andy] got a round ahead twice during the tournament… He definitely benefitted a little by a couple times finishing [his match]. But you still had to win the matches and the Nalbandian one was a nail biter.”

Roddick then defeated Ferrero 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3 for the trophy. No American man has accomplished the feat at a major since.

Will Fritz change that on Sunday?

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Brad Gilbert breaks down what Fritz needs to do to upset Sinner

Entering the US Open, Taylor Fritz had never advanced past a Grand Slam quarter-final. His opponent in Sunday’s final, Jannik Sinner, is the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings and this year’s Australian Open champion.

But Brad Gilbert, who helped Coco Gauff to her first Slam trophy at last year’s US Open, does not believe Fritz’s lack of experience this deep in a major will play much of a role.

“He’s been around long enough. He’s played a bunch of Slams, and I feel like he’s a clean ball-striker, too,” Gilbert told ATPTour.com. “I’ve seen some players in their first major obviously get really tight. He doesn’t strike me as that. He might not win, but I don’t feel like the moment is going to be too big for him.”

According to the former World No. 4, “there’s no doubt that Sinner is definitely the solid favourite”. The Italian is trying to clinch his second Slam crown and take a firm grip on top spot in the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF.

“But you’ve got to go out and execute,” Gilbert told ATPTour.com. “They both hit the ball really well. But who’s going to control the centre of the court?

“The big thing that jumps out between the two of them is Sinner is a way better mover and way better defender… Fritz has got to be offensive-minded because they both play great offence, but Sinner can play better defence.”

So far this US Open, Fritz has won 57.5 per cent of points he has played in the 0-4 rally length. Sinner has won 58.4 per cent of those points. Both men strike early and effectively.

Gilbert believes the most important thing for Fritz will be his serve and even taking some risk on his second serve to allow him to control points.

“Sinner will make him run hard, and he cracks the second-serve return. So I do think he needs a good serving day on the first, and he’s going to have to take some chances on the second,” Gilbert said. “He’s just got to stay out of where Sinner is the one initiating the offence. He’s got to be aggressive from the centre of the court, especially with his forehand.”

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/07/20/35/gilbert-us-open-2024.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Brad Gilbert” />
^{Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images}
In his quarter-final against two-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev and his semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, Fritz came up against opponents with two of the most solid backhands in the sport. Gilbert was impressed with how well Fritz handled those battles.

“I think he’s been hitting his backhand as well as I’ve seen him,” Gilbert said. “He’s been doing well backhand to backhand with every player I’ve seen. He did really well against Zverev and I didn’t think he would do well in that matchup. So he is playing well, but I do think for him the serve is key.”

Fritz is one of the best offensive players on the ATP Tour, with an ability to control the action against most of his opponents from the baseline. Gilbert believes it is essential that Fritz is the one playing offence.

“As good as Fritz is on offence, Sinner’s offence is probably better. I’ve been impressed with Fritz, he’s played under control all tournament, and he hits big with the forehand and his backhand is much improved. I think that’s why he’s playing better. His backhand is much improved,” Gilbert said. “I’ve been impressed, like I said, all tournament long. I thought that side, sometimes people can make progress with and I’m like, ‘Shoot, maybe I’ve got to recalibrate [my thoughts with] that shot’.”

Entering the semi-finals, Gilbert felt that if everyone remaining played their typical tennis, Sinner would emerge with the trophy. If they all play really well, Sinner would also triumph.

“My first thought was, Sinner wins six sets to zero. That was the first thought,” Gilbert said. “But I do feel like probably of the three players left that Fritz had the best shot. If he plays really well and Sinner is a little bit off, then who knows?”

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GB's Burrage wins on return from injury

Great Britain’s Jodie Burrage earns a win on her return to action after six months out because of injury.

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Michael Russell on keys for Fritz to beat Sinner for US Open title

Taylor Fritz earned the biggest win of his career on Friday evening when he rallied past Frances Tiafoe in five sets to become the first American man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2006. It was a special moment for Fritz and his team, led by coach Michael Russell, who gave him a big hug.

“I’m just so proud of the way that he fought in such a difficult match, playing one of your best friends on Tour, and being in a situation where both guys wanted to win so bad,” Russell told ATPTour.com. “There are just so many challenges, and he did such a good job of digging deep and fighting and to get to the US Open final as an American for the first time in so many years, it’s really special”.

Fritz explained after the match that he felt overwhelmed in rallies when Tiafoe took a two-sets-to-one lead. He spoke to Russell, who helped reassure the 26-year-old.

“I just wanted him to have positive energy. He was down two sets to one, but he was on serve up in the fourth. And I just felt like the energy was a little too negative for where the scoreline was,” Russell said just after midnight Saturday morning. “I just wanted to try to give Taylor more energy from myself and the team and just constantly give him that positive feedback to lift him up.

“The crowd was, I want to say, a little more pro-Frances than Taylor, for sure. So just by looking over and seeing us constantly giving those standing ovations and encouragement and motivation to continue the energy and continue to fight like he always does, sometimes it’s just the smallest percentages that can just give you a little extra motivation and energy to keep fighting.

“It worked out great. He was able to squeak out the fourth set, and his level raised and just continued to rise in that fifth set.”

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/07/02/52/fritz-us-open-2024-sf-roar.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Taylor Fritz” />
^{Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images}
As excited as the team is for Fritz, the job is not done. They are fully focused on putting their player in position to become the first American man to win a major singles title since Roddick at the 2003 US Open.

“It’s all about recovery. Obviously, tonight’s going to be a little later. So it’s all about taking the ice bath that he does, doing the soft tissue [work], good nutrition, good sleep, making sure that’s all adequate,” Russell said. “And then once that’s taken care of, then we’ll have a light practice tomorrow afternoon, and start talking strategy and tactics for Sunday’s match.”

Fritz knows he will face a tough challenge against Jannik Sinner, the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Italian won his first major title earlier this year at the Australian Open.

Russell’s work began immediately. Before leaving the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the former World No. 60 was already thinking about the footage he would watch and the analytics he would look at when he returned to the hotel.

“The sooner, the better for me. That’s just the way my mind starts to process the information. I like having it fresh and just being able to strategise and get the ball rolling,” Russell said. “So that way, tomorrow at the practice, we can already talk tactics and strategy. I can get what Taylor’s thoughts are and compare it to what I think. And we can have a good synergy.”

Russell explained that he planned to speak to Fritz about tactics as soon as their car ride to the venue for Saturday’s afternoon hit as well as when he is on the treatment table with physiotherapist Wolfgang Oswald.

Fritz has split two previous Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings with Sinner. Both of them came at Indian Wells, where the Italian triumphed in their most recent clash in 2023. Sinner beat Fritz in the quarter-finals 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

“I remember that Taylor played well. It was pretty strong wind, actually, that day, and Jannik did a good job of really being able to punish Taylor when he was against the wind. Taylor struggled to really create a lot of power when he was against the wind, and that was kind of the differentiator in that third set,” Russell said. “Jannik was able to get a few more free points on that side against the wind. But they’ve had great matches.

“Jannik is a big ball-striker. He’s serving well, obviously, coming in with a lot of confidence. That being said, Taylor’s going to have huge crowd support. He really needs to make that work for him and take his power game. He’s going to have pace to work with, with Jannik, and just make him uncomfortable and feel the presence of not only Taylor and the crowd and the whole American support. Just really create an environment that’s uncomfortable.”

The Sinner across the net Sunday will not be the same player Fritz faced last March. At the time, Sinner was World No. 13. Now he is the runaway first-placed player in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

“He’s serving great. He’s beefed up his first serve and his second serve. I just think he’s more of an all-around player,” Russell said. “He can come in. His transition game has gotten better, and physically he’s better. He’s able to withstand some longer matches, and his body hasn’t broken down as it has in the past. So he’s a very complete player.

“But then again, Taylor’s playing really well, and his game is a lot more complete than it was even six months ago. He’s moving forward better, a lot more explosive, and he’s going to have to come out and do those same things on Sunday.”

What will it take for Fritz to upset Sinner and win the US Open?

“He’s got to serve well. He’s got to be aggressive. He’s got to stay in the moment, use the crowd support, use the energy,” Russell said. “When the opportunity is there, [he needs to] play controlled, aggressive tennis, and look to finish points at net when he can. Just be ready for another battle and compete like he always does.”

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British teen Stojsavljevic wins US Open junior title

Teenager Mika Stojsavljevic becomes the first Briton in 15 years to win the US Open girls’ title.

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GB's Hewett beaten in Paralympic final thriller

Alfie Hewett loses a thrilling Paralympic wheelchair tennis men’s singles final to Tokito Oda having held a gold-medal point.

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Purcell/Thompson clinch US Open crown

Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson atoned for their Wimbledon championship heartbreak in style on Saturday at the US Open, where they captured their first major title together.

The Australians squandered three championship points in the Wimbledon final in July but were not to be disappointed in New York, where they moved past Germans Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz 6-4, 7-6(4).

Purcell and Thompson recovered from squandering two championship points at 5-3 in the second set, eventually closing out in a nervy tie-break after one hour and 36 minutes to become the first Australian men to win the doubles crown since Todd Woodbridge won with Swede Jonas Bjorkman in 2003.

Earlier this year, they won titles in Dallas, Los Cabos and Houston and impressed at Flushing Meadows, where they dropped just one set en route to the title. They also fell agonisingly short in the Wimbledon final in July when they squandered three championships points in their defeat to Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara, but did not let that defeat haunt them in New York, improving to 37-6 in 2024.

“Being a Grand Slam champion has a great ring to it,” Thompson said. “Especially after the heartbreak at Wimbledon. It got a little bit tense with match points at the end. We stuck with it and we got there.”

Purcell and Thompson, who saved two match points in their second-round win, have climbed five spots to third in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Rankings following their victory and in their first full season together are hoping to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Purcell, 26, has won two major doubles titles, having triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022 with Matthew Ebden. Thompson, 30, was competing in his second Grand Slam final after losing in London this year.

Krawietz and Puetz are sixth in the PIF ATP Live Doubles Rankings. The Germans earned a dramatic semi-final win against Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic but were unable to produce more magic in their first major final together as a team.

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Being sick on court 'worst feeling ever' – Draper

Jack Draper says being sick on court in his US Open semi-final defeat was “the worst feeling ever”, but he believes Grand Slam success is “just a matter of time”.

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Can Fritz end American wait for major champ or will Sinner stop him in US Open final?

Taylor Fritz is closing in on history at the US Open. The 26-year-old will become the first American man to win a major title since Andy Roddick in 2003 if he triumphs in the final on Sunday in New York, ending a 21-year wait.

The 12th seed battled hard to overcome countryman Frances Tiafoe in five sets in the semi-finals and also defeated seeds Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud to reach his maiden Grand Slam final. However, his biggest test is to come, with the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Jannik Sinner, standing in his way between glory.

Sinner has been the man to beat in 2024 and is set to compete in his second major final on Sunday. The Italian clinched his first Slam crown at the Australian Open in January and holds a perfect 5-0 record in tour-level finals in 2024.

The 23-year-old moved past 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev in the quarters in New York and then beat British lefty Jack Draper in the semi-finals to earn his 11th consecutive win, having captured his third ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati last month. In his match against Draper, Sinner suffered a scare when he fell on his left wrist in the second set. However, the top seed hopes the issue won’t harm his chances in the final.

“The physio loosened it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay in the beginning. Then after it went away by playing, which is good,” Sinner said in his post-match press conference on Friday. “Let’s see how it is [Saturday] when it’s cold. It’s going to be a different feeling. Hopefully is nothing to concern about. I’m quite relaxed, because if it’s something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more.”

Fritz had lost at the quarter-final stage at a major four times before his run this fortnight but is now playing with the belief that he can go all the way. The 26-year-old, who is the first American man to reach a major final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, is determined to end the 21-year wait for an American Grand Slam champion and believes he can trouble Sinner.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing him,” said Fritz. “To be honest, I don’t think that I’m going to be put in a more stressful situation than I was today than playing in a final. I think today was much more stressful for me than playing the final. I just feel good,” Fritz said. “I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”

American men US Open champions (since 1990)

The American and Italian are locked at 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with both of their previous meetings coming on hard courts in Indian Wells. Fritz will be hoping to use the home crowd to his advantage when the pair walk onto the 23,000-seater Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT and the American reflected on the positive state of American tennis ahead of the title match.

“I think it gives hope and shows that we’re knocking on the door of winning a Slam, and we have this generation, this group of guys where there’s four or five of us that are actually at this level,” Fritz said, referencing Top 20 stars Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton.

“I mean, it shows that we’re all moving in the right direction. I think that whenever one of us does something, the others follow, and the others get belief from it. I think this is just the start for all of us.”

Sinner vs. Fritz Lexus ATP Head2Head series

On Sunday, the full focus of the United States will be on Fritz, who will have to serve well and be aggressive from the baseline to hit through Sinner, who defends well out of the corners and can cause anyone problems with his weight and depth of shot.

Sinner has become accustomed to the big occasion in 2024, with no player earning more titles this year. Currently 54-5 on the season, the 23-year-old is relishing the opportunity to take on an American in New York.

“Being in America for sure, the crowd will be a little bit more on [his] side. But it’s normal. It’s like when I play in Italy, so I’m going to accept that,” Sinner said. “I have my team and my people who are close to me. In my mind, I know that there are many people watching from home from Italy, and it’s just take some support from them.”

By reaching the final, Sinner has taken command in the battle for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. The Italian is currently 2,185 points clear of second-placed Alexander Zverev in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, which serves as a barometer for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours. Sinner will take a 2,885-point lead if he wins the title.

The former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion is the first Italian man to reach the title match in New York and is aiming to become the first player since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first and second Grand Slam titles in the same season.

With experience on Sinner’s side, Fritz will hope momentum can help him in his quest to defeat the top seed. The American, who captured the biggest title of his career in Indian Wells in 2022, was overjoyed after reaching the final on Friday night.

“It hit me when he [Eubanks] said the thing about how I’m in the finals and the crowd was cheering,” Fritz said. “It’s just kind of like how I am. I’m more of an emotional person when I’m happy. When I’m really happy I cry at happy endings of movies and not at sad stuff. That’s kind of just how I am.

“It’s just joy, the crowd cheering and kind of that realisation, like ‘Wow, I’m in the finals of the US Open. It’s such a lifelong dream come true. Something I’ve worked my whole life for to be in this situation.”

Read more ahead of the 2024 US Open final
Sinner takes ‘wait-and-see’ approach with wrist
Fritz on reaching final: ‘It is a lifelong dream come true’
Sinner shakes off wrist scare to down Draper, reaches final
Fritz rallies past Tiafoe to reach first Grand Slam final at US Open
Taylor Fritz: Inside the American’s rise & competitive spirit

Fritz is up five spots to No. 7 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings after advancing to his fourth tour-level final of the season and is also in strong contention for qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals. The American is fifth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and would jump to fourth with victory.

In what is set to be a blockbuster match on Sunday, can Fritz end the 21-year American wait for a male major titlist, or will Sinner show the form he has all year and produce ‘lock-down mode’ to clinch his sixth title of 2024?

For more information on how to watch the final in New York from 2 p.m. EDT/ 8 p.m. CET. on Sunday, click here.

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When is the US Open final?

Chasing history, American Taylor Fritz will face No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner in the US Open final in New York at 2 p.m. EDT/ 8 p.m. CET. on Sunday on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Fritz is aiming to become the first American man to win a major since Andy Roddick triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2003, while he is the first American man to compete in a Slam final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

On the other side of the net, Sinner will try to clinch his second major, having lifted the Australian Open trophy in January. The pair enter the final locked at 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

For more information on how to watch the final, click here.

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