“Has Alexander Zverev’s Grand Slam Dream Faded Forever?”

Alexander Zverev has once again fallen short in his quest to win a Grand Slam title. The German, who was considered the second-best contender behind Jannik Sinner at the 2024 US Open, saw his run come to an end in the quarterfinals against Taylor Fritz. Currently ranked world number 4, Zverev had already lost to Fritz earlier in the summer at Wimbledon. In New York, his performance was marred by numerous unforced errors, even on his usually reliable backhand.

It seems that Zverev, after the earlier exits of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, struggled with the pressure—a recurring theme in his career. While he has had a strong season overall and remains close to Sinner in the ATP Race, he has once again faltered at a crucial moment in a Grand Slam tournament.

Grand Slam events have been a source of frustration for Zverev since his heartbreaking loss to Dominic Thiem in the 2020 US Open final. With this latest defeat in the quarterfinals, his chances of finishing the year at the top of the ATP rankings have taken a significant hit.

**Another Missed Opportunity**

Following his disappointing exit at Flushing Meadows, many fans and tennis insiders are left wondering if Zverev will ever manage to capture a Grand Slam title before his career ends.

After his match against Fritz, Zverev couldn’t hide his disappointment: “I don’t remember hitting my backhand this poorly since I’ve been on tour. I was missing shots that were right in the middle of the court, with no pace, straight into the bottom of the net. It was terrible—absolutely terrible. My forehand was okay, my serve was okay, but my most reliable shot, the one I’m known for, was just not there today. I’m honestly at a loss for words.

At some point, I didn’t know what to do. I was full of questions—should I go for it, or just try to put the ball in play? When I tried to keep it in, it hit the net. When I went for it, the ball flew. I was missing routine baseline shots by six feet. I don’t know… Taylor absolutely deserved to win today. I didn’t do anything to deserve the victory.”

Zverev’s remarks reflect a growing concern that he may lack the mental fortitude required to overcome these challenges, with the Grand Slam “curse” weighing increasingly heavily on his shoulders.

**Fritz’s Breakthrough**

On the other hand, Taylor Fritz was ecstatic after reaching his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal: “I stepped onto the court feeling confident and ready for the challenge. In many of my previous Grand Slam quarterfinals, I felt nervous, but today was different—I felt good from the start. As the match went on, I did start to feel more nervous, especially sensing that Sascha was playing tense. But I managed to hit key serves when it mattered and played some crucial points well. I’m thrilled to make it to my first semifinal.”

Fritz has shown significant mental growth: “It’s not just about playing the big points well. In the first set, I had three set points on his serve and couldn’t convert any—it was tough. But winning tiebreaks, especially as a big server, can make all the difference. Sometimes, it just comes down to a few key points. Earlier this year in Montreal and Cincinnati, I struggled in those moments and exited early, but I’ve done a great job of handling them this year.”

Fritz will now face his friend and fellow American Frances Tiafoe for a place in the final. Tiafoe, who was a finalist in Cincinnati, advanced after Grigor Dimitrov retired from their match.