2024 ATP Player of the Year Countdown, No. 3: Taylor Fritz

2024, by the Numbers

• 53-23: Overall win-loss record
• 17-4: Grand Slam win-loss record (AO QF, RG 4R, W QF, USO runner-up)
• 2: Titles (Delray Beach, Eastbourne)
• 3: Runner-ups (Munich, US Open, ATP Finals)
• 4: Year-end ranking

The Story of the Season

This year was all about scaling new heights for Taylor Fritz—and in some style. From reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open to ending the year at a career-high No. 4 in the ATP rankings, the American enjoyed a stellar 12 months to establish himself firmly among the best in the world.

A strong start to 2024 saw him reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before successfully defending his ATP 250 title at Delray Beach. But he failed to continue that momentum into the first Masters tournaments of the season, suffering early exits at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.

His form on clay rapidly improved over the summer though, culminating in a first Olympic medal on the hallowed court of Roland Garros, partnering Tommy Paul to win bronze for the United States in the Paris 2024 men's doubles.

Summer also saw him lift the trophy at Eastbourne for the third time in his career and a run to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, coming from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev in a dramatic match along the way. The growing rivalry with Zverev was a recurring narrative for the rest of the season, with Fritz beating the higher-ranked German four times in a row, including at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.

One player Fritz couldn't get the better of, though, was Jannik Sinner. The world No. 1 bested Fritz in the championship match of both the US Open and the ATP Finals. But in reaching the finals of both, Fritz ensured he finished as the top-ranked American and one of the five best players in the world at the end of 2024 - a place that he finally "feels like he belongs".—Emma Storey

What’s to Come in 2025?

If 2024 was all about establishing himself among the best players in the world, next season will be all about maintaining his spot at the top. After finishing runner-up at the Nitto ATP Finals to Sinner, who also defeated him at the US Open, world No. 4 Fritz has said his work is already cut out for him.

“Going into my off-season, starting next year, I feel like I have a good idea of what things I need to improve on,” he said in Turin, “but I also feel like I'm playing very good tennis. I feel like I've gone up a level and I'm much more confident in my game.”

Fritz diagnosed his return of serve as the number one priority, and the stats agree: The American currently sits at No. 45 on the ATP Tour’s Return Leaders leaderboard. Fritz says he plans to train his footwork and movement on court for a “more explosive, quicker first step,” and has also identified his backhand as a shot to polish.

Could these details make the difference for Fritz? The 27-year-old isn’t the type of player who gets easily overwhelmed by big occasions, but there has still a gap between himself and players ranked ahead of him.

Fritz finished the 2024 season with a 11-10 record against the Top 10—the most Top 10 wins of his career—handling players like Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev with confidence. Still, he didn’t win a set against Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz, and managed just one against Djokovic.

If Fritz can harness those tactical improvements and lean on his newfound self-confidence, he’ll keep putting himself in the position to challenge for big titles and major trophies.

“Back then (in 2023) I was No. 5 (for the first time), but I didn't feel like I was No. 5,” Fritz reflected. “Now I'm ranked where I'm at. I feel like I belong. It's a different feeling. It's been a great year.” —Stephanie Livaudais