“It’s pretty embarrassing” : Taylor Fritz says he was tricked by Novak Djokovic in US Open quarterfinal defeat
Taylor Fritz was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the 2025 US Open in four sets. The Serbian now extends his unbeaten run over Fritz to 11-0. Novak Djokovic started off in a dominating fashion, winning the first two sets. However, Fritz came back in the match, winning the third set before the Serb closed the match in the fourth set.
Taylor Fritz stated that he could only start serving well from the third set, although his ground game was still not quite there. The American stated that he raised his level in the fourth set, however, Novak Djokovic was much better. He also stated that he failed to convert break points and serve well in the first two sets which cost him the match. The Serb will now face Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the US Open.
“From the third set, I served a lot better than I did in the first and second. From the ground, I don’t think I played that much better. I have to be honest, the first three sets weren’t great,” said Fritz.
“I think the level in the fourth set was probably the best level that I played. He played a lot better in the fourth set as well. Really, the only difference in the third set from the first two sets was I just served well and I converted a break point. That was the big difference. Typically, that’s all I need to do to win a set—convert a break point and serve well. And yeah, the first two sets just weren’t it for that.”
Taylor Fritz reveals struggles against Novak Djokovic’s serve
Taylor Fritz also revealed struggles against Novak Djokovic’s second serve in the quarterfinals. The American stated that the seventh seed delivers a very slow second serve, and he missed most of the returns. The fourth seed was the last American remaining in the draw, as the likes of Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe have all been knocked out.
“What’s made it tough in the past is the variance in his second serve. I’d love to attack it more, but it’s tough. Sometimes he throws in a softer serve in the middle of the box or to the backhand, but it’s tough to attack those when I’m also ready for this big second serve that he goes into the forehand on, especially on the ad side,” Fritz added
“He loves to hit like a 110, almost like a three-quarter first serve, slider into the forehand. And to be honest, he does it every time he plays me. It’s pretty embarrassing the amount of times I was sitting on it, waiting for it, and still missed the return. I just can’t really let that happen.”
Taylor Fritz stated that he had a great opportunity to face the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in three consecutive matches. He also expects Novak Djokovic to be excited for his clash against the Spaniard in the semifinals of the US Open. The Serb has reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams this season.
