Mike Russell, coach of Fritz: Adding dimensions to his game is making the difference

Taylor Fritz has been making consistent strides on the ATP Tour dating back to 2018. After finishing 2017 outside the top 100, Fritz was No. 49 at the end of ’18, No. 32 at the end of ’19, No. 29 at the end of ’20, No. 23 at the end of ’21, and then found himself in the top 10 following both the ’22 and ’23 campaigns.

Until the 2024 U.S. Open, however, the American had never gotten over the Grand Slam quarterfinal hump. Previously 0-4 lifetime in slam quarterfinal matches, Fritz defeated Alexander Zverev 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Tuesday afternoon to secure a long-awaited spot in the semis.

Thus continues dramatic improvement in Fritz’s game, first marked by much better movement–a process spearheaded by longtime coach Michael Russell. A well-respected ATP Tour player in his own right, Russell peaked at No. 60 in the world. “Iron Mike” was a 5’8” grinder who unquestionably made the most out of his with grit and determination–and with incredible movement.

Movement was once the weakness in Fritz’s game, but the 26-year-old has made great strides in that department. It has helped him implement Russell’s most recent emphasis on transitioning from the baseline into the net.

“It’s been a constant theme not only to create better fitness and endurance and explosiveness over the last few years, which you can kind of see in the consistency of his results that he’s been able to get deeper into the Grand Slams and Masters Series events,” Russell said following his charge’s win over Zverev. “But now we’re really trying to get him to recognize when he’s hurting his opponent and moving forward.

“There’s still work to be done, but his transition game is getting better. The fact he’s seeing it pay off, especially here at the U.S. Open in some big points just like in that fourth-set tiebreak, where he snuck in (and) was able to finish a volley. He’s starting to buy into it and believe it. It’s good to see. That’s a big step that we’ve been really emphasizing for him to win these bigger stages.

“You know, you can’t just serve and be on the baseline.”

Fritz will be on the biggest of stages in tennis against compatriot Frances Tiafoe on Friday night. It will be somewhat of a contrast in styles, as Fritz is the bigger hitter but Tiafoe brings more variety to the table.

If Fritz can match Tiafoe’s all-court prowess, he may be able to make his biggest leap of all–into a Grand Slam final.

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