Taylor Fritz told what’s missing from his game that would help him compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
American tennis star Taylor Fritz, the world No. 5 and fresh off a US Open final appearance earlier this month (losing to Jannik Sinner), has been pinpointed by experts for key deficiencies in his arsenal that hinder his ability to consistently challenge the “Big Two” of Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner. As Fritz cruises through the 2025 Japan Open—advancing to the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Nuno Borges on September 26—commentators and analysts have dissected his game during live coverage and podcasts. Their consensus? Fritz lacks elite-level athleticism in split-second situations and, crucially, variety or speed on his second serve to dictate points against the tour’s top dogs. These insights come amid Fritz’s stellar hard-court run (29 wins since June), but underscore why his head-to-heads remain lopsided: 1-3 vs. Alcaraz and 1-4 vs. Sinner, with no victories over Novak Djokovic (0-11).
Athletic Edge: A Fraction Quicker Than Fritz
During Eurosport’s broadcast of Fritz’s Borges match, commentators Nick Lester and Barry Cowan highlighted a pivotal rally where Fritz struggled on a cross-court return, forcing him to remove a hand from his racket— a maneuver Alcaraz and Sinner might handle seamlessly. Lester noted: “That last point is where he is just shy of the top two. I don’t think Alcaraz and Sinner would have to take a hand off there and if they did I probably think there’s a real chance they’ll still win the point.” Cowan added: “Can I also say, they are a fraction quicker because he’s a good athlete, they are phenomenal athletes.” This athletic gap, they argued, leaves Fritz vulnerable in high-pressure exchanges, where the younger duo’s superior movement and adaptability shine.
Fritz himself has acknowledged the challenge, telling reporters post-US Open that beating Sinner or Alcaraz requires “playing my absolute best” and capitalizing on any off-days from them. He views Alcaraz as the tougher matchup: “I’d say Carlos is the harder opponent for me but I have to add the caveat that when we played in the Laver Cup I ran into the on-fire version of him where it just feels like there’s nothing you can do.” Yet, he insists both are “beatable,” citing his lone wins: A straight-sets upset of Alcaraz at the 2025 Laver Cup (6-3, 7-6) and a 2022 Indian Wells final triumph over Sinner.
Second Serve Overhaul: The Key Tactical Fix
In a deeper dive on the Australian Open TV podcast, analyst Simon Rea zeroed in on Fritz’s second serve as the “one big change” needed to elevate him against Alcaraz, Sinner, and even Djokovic. Rea explained that Fritz’s current delivery—often in the mid-160s km/h (about 100 mph)—lacks the punch or unpredictability to prevent rivals from attacking it aggressively. “I think he’s caught a little bit between on his second serve. So all of those players are able to impact on his second serve,” Rea said. He suggested two fixes: Boost speed to 175 km/h (109 mph) or add variety in placement to disrupt returns. “He either needs one of two things or perhaps both: more variety on a second serve or much more speed,” Rea emphasized, warning that without it, “Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic will hurt him every time.”
This vulnerability has shown in recent losses: Sinner dismantled Fritz’s serve in the US Open final (6-3, 6-4, 7-5), breaking him four times, while Alcaraz’s return game overwhelmed him in Cincinnati (6-3, 7-6). Rea stressed that Fritz’s athleticism, while solid, isn’t dominant enough to compensate, urging a riskier approach—even if it means more double faults—to “dictate the point.”
Fritz’s Path Forward: Can’t Rely on Absences
Fritz, now 27 and in his prime, dismissed banking on Alcaraz or Sinner’s no-shows for a Slam breakthrough. “I can’t count on them not being there. I have to be ready to beat them,” he said in Tokyo on September 26. With a potential Japan Open quarterfinal vs. Ben Shelton looming, and the Shanghai Masters next, Fritz eyes his first ATP 500 title here to build momentum. Fans on X are buzzing, with posts like @TennisInsider’s “Fritz’s second serve fix could change everything—watch out, Big Two!” racking up shares.
If Fritz heeds this advice—honing that athletic split-second edge and revamping his second serve—2026 could see him crashing the Alcaraz-Sinner party. For now, his Tokyo run proves he’s close, but as Rea warns, “hurt every time” without tweaks. Stay tuned for more from the American ace. 🎾
