Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 7, 2024
New York—After that Frances Tiafoe He lost eight of his last nine matches, losing 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. Taylor Fritz in Friday night’s US Open singles semifinal, the 26-year-old had one thing on his mind: making sure it didn’t happen again.
Tiafoe, who was two games away from winning by one point in the fourth set, was thrown back-to-back errors and ended up making four unforced errors in a row to close out Fritz’s fourth set.
He later admitted that he was suffering from physical problems, possibly due to anxiety and depression.
“It was later in that set at 5-4, double-double, I broke there,” he said. “I just felt like I was there, just cramps. I felt fine. It wasn’t really warm or humid tonight.
“I’m just thinking for a minute, I’m going to start ahead, and something to learn about. The promise will never happen to me again.”
It’s been a surprising turnaround, especially considering how well Tiafoe has played. Fritz said he felt frustrated by Tiafoe’s level and was just trying to hold on to the board to put pressure on his opponent.
Taylor Fritz outlasted Frances Tiafoe in this big rally of the 4th set.
He won 9 of his next 11 games. pic.twitter.com/qyvJWjtsuI
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
Tiafoe, who has dropped seven consecutive decisions against Fritz, says he plans to finish the season strong.
“I’m going to let this bite, but I’m going to learn from this,” he said. “You know, I’m going to work really hard. I will be in these positions again, for sure. I’m just hoping for a different outcome.”
Despite the loss, the 26-year-old sees the US Open as a big moment for American tennis.
“I think it opened the floodgates for sure,” he said. “I think the boys will start to believe that they can go deep in the slams. Tommy [Paul] you’re already doing semis of slams, ben [Shelton] and, apparently, he beat me last year here in the rooms. Fritz, now you are in the finals. None of us little guys ever did that.
“Look at what happened on Sunday, but I think a lot of people will be able to think they can do it, especially this late in the season, things like that with the American crowds and what have you. I think it’s great. It shows that it is definitely possible. Like I said, again, the game is on. Even with Alcaraz and Sinner and these other guys, it’s not the same anymore.”
