It’s fair to say however that Taylor Fritz has taken the initiative this year, reaching his first semi-final of a Grand Slam two months before he went one better.

The only thing that’s stalled Fritz from ending the year with the ATP Finals trophy and a US Open title is Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

The world number one has stopped Fritz three times this year without dropping a set – the latest two coming last week in Turin.

While Sinner lived up to his billing as the favorite, Fritz dumped the in-form world number two, Alexander Zverev, out in the semi-finals – his fourth win over the German this year.

Taylor Fritz reacts to new career-high ranking

Not a particularly chatty voice on the tour normally, Fritz has been candid about how much better he’s feeling this year.

Fritz noted the improvements he’s made on his forehand this year, while the more reliable shots like his serve have similarly served him well.

Now ranked at a career-high of four – one better than his previous high of five when he won the Delray Beach Open last year – Fritz has explained how, despite only one spot difference, his outlook has completely changed.

Still reeling from defeat in the final, Fritz was asked how he is feeling about his new position in the top four.

He said: “Yeah, I think I’ve thought a lot recently about kind of the position I’m in. I’d say more so this week with just the tennis I’ve been playing, it’s more like I’ve been thinking about just the belief I had.

“I think something I told my team was, whenever it was, 2023 when I won Delray right before I was defending the Indian Wells title, when I hit 5 in the world for, like, a week, I was kind of like, That’s crazy, I’m 5 in the world, look at all these guys ranked behind me that are probably better than me (smiling).

“Back then I was 5, but I didn’t feel like I was 5,” he explained. “Now I’m ranked where I’m at. I feel like I belong. It’s a different feeling. It’s been a great year. That gives me a lot of confidence to have that belief. That’s a huge part of having the big results.

“The goals I set for myself were to finish top 5. My prior career high was 5, so I wanted to actually — I hit 5 for a week, and I wanted to actually finish 5.”

Taylor Fritz is forcing himself into the Grand Slam conversation

Reaching his first major final, Fritz has demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level.

His 10 victories against top-10 opponents this year place him alongside Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, emphasizing his consistency against elite competition.

Having cemented himself as one of the best hard-court players with multiple final appearances and a successful title defense in Delray Beach, Fritz’s upward trajectory is clear.

With the Australian Open on the horizon, he’ll undoubtedly be targeting a deep run, although a potential clash with Sinner, a consistent nemesis, looms.

His progress this year however, along with his fresh and determined outlook, suggests he’s poised to make a serious impact in 2025.

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