Taylor Fritz has one of the best serves in the men’s game.
In 2025, Fritz ranked second for ‘Serve Rating’, with a score of 296.8.
His serve propelled him to a fourth consecutive top-10 finish on the ATP Tour.
What is preventing Taylor Fritz from winning a Grand Slam?
But where would he be without his serve?
During the latest episode of ‘Nothing Major‘, another serving great, John Isner, shared his thoughts.
John Isner thinks Taylor Fritz would drop out of the top 10 without his serve
The Nothing Major hosts, Isner, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock were asked the following question.
- “If serves were removed from the game and every point started with a neutral serve, how would the top three, 10, 100 change?”
“That’s a really good question,” said Isner.
“I feel like this is easy to answer, just look at who has the most points won, second serve returning, and who has the most points won on their own second serve, and like, that’s basically your list,” added Querrey.
Second serve returns points won % (Last 52 weeks)
| Rank | Name | Move from ATP Ranking | % 2nd Serve return points won |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | +1 | 58% |
| 2 | Alex de Minaur | +4 | 54.1% |
| 3 | Carlos Alcaraz | -2 | 54% |
| 4 | Marton Fucsovics | +57 | 53.9% |
| 5 | Kamil Majchrzak | +51 | 53.6% |
| 6 | Francisco Cerundolo | +13 | 53.1% |
| 7 | Lorenzo Musetti | -2 | 52.9% |
| 8 | Learner Tien | +15 | 52.9% |
| 9 | Daniil Medvedev | +2 | 52.7% |
| 10 | Novak Djokovic | -7 | 52.4% |
Second serve points won % (Last 52 weeks)
| Rank | Name | Move from ATP Ranking | % Second serve points won |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | +1 | 58% |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | -1 | 57.4% |
| 3 | Alex de Minaur | +3 | 56.8% |
| 4 | Lorenzo Musetti | +1 | 56% |
| 5 | Jack Draper | +7 | 55% |
| 6 | Tommy Paul | +18 | 54.8% |
| 7 | Alexander Zverev | -3 | 54.6% |
| 8 | Ben Shelton | -1 | 54.6% |
| 9 | Sebsatian Korda | +41 | 54.4% |
| 10 | Novak Djokovic | -7 | 54.1% |
If Querrey is to be believed, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alex de Minaur would complete the top three in a world where serves were banned.
The others suggested that Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic would remain in the world’s top three.
“Well, the top three is not changing, that’s for sure,” said Johnson.
“Well, [Alexander] Zverev, I mean, he’s still good from the back of the court, but his serve is giant,” said Isner.
“It’s going to be the top three is not changing, then it gets creative,” added Johnson.
They then suggested which players would struggle if they couldn’t use their serves.
“Demon [Alex de Minaur] is still top 10, Taylor Fritz is not top 10,” said Isner.
“[Ben] Shelton probably not top 10, Felix [Auger-Aliassime], probably not top 10. You probably move in guys like [Francisco] Cerundolo or [Sebastian] Baez,” said Querrey.
“Reilly Opelka, where is he ranked?” asked Isner.
“Where is Mpetshi [Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard] ranked?” asked Sock.
“Not in the top 100!” replied Johnson.
“I think Reilly is top 100 but barely,” added Isner.
Who do you think is the greatest tennis player of all time – Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams?
Or have we missed your GOAT? Let us know who!
The Nothing Major crew believes a serve-less world would be bad news for Fritz.
Luckily for the American, such a rule change is highly unlikely…
But how has he performed so far in 2026?
Taylor Fritz makes a solid start to his 2026 season
The 28-year-old began his season at the United Cup and was far from 100% as he continued to battle his knee tendonitis.
Shock defeats to Sebastian Baez, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Hubert Hurkacz had many panicking, but he soon bounced back.
Fritz reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, improving upon his 2025 efforts.
Then, he made the final of the Dallas Open, and despite failing to convert championship points against Ben Shelton, looked back to his best.
A disappointing quarterfinal exit followed in Delray Beach, though, as he lost to Tommy Paul in straight sets.
It hasn’t been the perfect start to the year, by any means, but through two months, Fritz remains in contention.
He currently sits ninth in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’, one spot away from ATP Finals qualification.
Live ATP Race to Turin
- 1. Carlos Alcaraz – 2,330 points
- 2. Novak Djokovic – 1,300 points
- 3. Alex de Minaur – 985 points
- 4. Ben Shelton – 950 points
- 5. Jannik Sinner – 900 points
- 6. Alexander Zverev – 840 points
- 7. Jakub Mensik – 695 points
- 8. Alexander Bublik – 650 points
- 9. Taylor Fritz – 615 points
- 10. Felix Auger-Aliassime – 615 points
Only time will tell if he can move up the rankings over the next few months.
A deep run at Indian Wells, his home tournament, will certainly help his cause.
The 2026 Indian Wells tournament begins on Wednesday, March 4.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
