Taylor Fritz has outlined the one thing he’ll need to do if he’s going to beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open.
The world number 12 has set up a clash with the Serbian after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas earlier today, 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
But, in his post-match interview, he was quizzed on his looming quarter-final opponent.
So, what did the American say about the reigning champion and his chances of taking him down? We take a closer look…
What Taylor Fritz said about Novak Djokovic
Having endured a rough record against Djokovic, losing all eight of their meetings, Fritz will rightly feel apprehensive.
After all, he boasts a fine opportunity to go deep in this grand slam given his blistering current form, in which he has seemingly corrected old issues.
That’s not to suggest that he does not understand the task at hand though.
He was respectful and wary whilst retaining a healthy confidence in his own ability, and boldly claimed post-match: ‘Yeah I think, I mean a lot of these match-ups [with Djokovic] are when I was a bit younger. I feel I’ve improved, become a better player, the times I’ve played him since I just haven’t brought my best level, and you need to if you’re gonna compete with someone like Novak.
‘I’m going to have to serve like I did today but I feel confident, if I’m able to play like I did today then I’ll have a chance.’
Is this a new Taylor Fritz?
As aforementioned, there seems to be a newfound fortitude to Fritz, who has previously showcased some pretty outstanding fragilities in the past.
Early exits at the 2023 Wimbledon, the 2022 US Open and even the 2023 Swiss Indoors Basel were all embarrassments in their own way, but having already reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, there is progress being made.
He is serving far better, as he noted, and boasted a consistency seldom seen in recent years.
Not only that, but this Australian Open has seen him already overcome some records he would rather forget.
His win today over the Greek star, a comprehensive performance, was just his first over a top-ten opponent at a Grand Slam and has seen him reach his deepest stage ever at this competition.
Perhaps this is a new Fritz capable of challenging the elite at last, but standing in his way is the same old Djokovic who had earned praise off Tsitsipas before the tournament.
It will take something truly special to knock out the Serbian superstar, who will have his own ambitions of crushing the 26-year-old and cementing his stranglehold over tennis.
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