Taylor Fritz’s coach has identified the change he needs to make if he wants to win a Grand Slam title

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Taylor Fritz endured a tough start to his 2025 campaign on the ATP Tour, reaching just one quarter-final in his first four tournaments.

The American number one failed to impress in Melbourne, as Fritz was beaten by Gael Monfils in the third round of the Australian Open.

Traveling back to the United States, the 27-year-old won just one match in each of his next two tournaments, at Delray Beach and the Dallas Open.

At Indian Wells, Fritz reached the fourth round, losing to eventual champion Jack Draper in straight sets, 5-7, 4-6.

The world number four is currently enjoying the best tournament of his year to date as he prepares for his quarter-final clash with Matteo Berrettini at the Miami Open.

He’d no doubt love to pick up a second career Masters 1000 title later this week, but still has his sights firmly set on Major success as his coach now explains.

Taylor Fritz’s coach Michael Russell says he needs to ‘come to the net more’ if he wants to win a Grand Slam

Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Fritz’s coach, Michael Russell, revealed the main goal they are looking to achieve together.

“The long-term result goals, I’d love to see him win a Grand Slam title, that would be a momentous occasion,” he said.

“He’s been very close at the US Open final.”

Fritz lost to Jannik Sinner in the final of the 2024 US Open, 3-6, 4-6, 5-7, having knocked out several top seeds in an impressive run at Flushing Meadows.

• SF – Taylor Fritz beat Frances Tiafoe [20], 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
• QF – Taylor Fritz beat Alexander Zverev [4], 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6
• 4R – Taylor Fritz beat Casper Ruud [8], 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2

Russell has now identified the change Fritz needs to make if he wants to go one step further and win his first Major title.

“I’d love to see him continue to move forward; he needs to come to the net more, own the transition and the middle of the court,” he said.

“He’s done a better job, but it could be an area where he needs to improve still and really take it more offensively to his opponent.”

How well has Taylor Fritz performed at Grand Slam tournaments recently?

Fritz’s number one goal may well be to win a Slam, but how well has he performed at the sport’s biggest tournaments?

The American has advanced to four quarter-finals in his last six Major tournaments, having done so just once in his first 28 Grand Slam campaigns.

Fritz’s improvement at the four Majors is noticeable as he has become a regular fixture in the latter stages of Grand Slams.

He’ll be up against it at the French Open, however, when he looks to become the first American since Andre Agassi in 2003 to reach the quarterfinals.

Fritz’s run to the last 16 in 2024 was the best by an American in four years, as the nation’s struggles on the Parisian clay continue.

Only time will tell if Fritz can finally break through at Roland Garros when this year’s tournament begins on Sunday, May 25.

Michael Russell explains how Taylor Fritz is motivated by the American number one ranking

Fritz is motivated by the prospect of winning a Major, but that’s not the only thing that keeps him going, as Russell explained just how much the American number one ranking means to the 27-year-old.

“Yeah, they all want to own that title, sometimes they don’t say it to each others face,” he said.

“Last year during Monte Carlo, Taylor [Fritz] lost it for like two weeks [to Ben Shelton] and then all of a sudden the day after he lost it he’s like ‘I’m going to the gym tomorrow morning.’

“I was like, ok, there’s a little extra motivation.”

Fritz holds a comfortable advantage in the race for the number one spot among American ATP stars, leading Tommy Paul by over 1,500 points.

The American number one will have the opportunity to extend his lead at the top when he takes on Berrettini in the Miami Open quarter-finals on Thursday, March 27.