Out to enhance on final 12 months’s fourth-round exit, top-ranked American Taylor Fritz says his preparation for the Australian Open couldn’t have gone any higher.
But the world No.9 realized a harsh lesson on the US Open that kind and self-belief don’t at all times equal outcomes.
The 25-year-old arrived at Flushing Meadows stuffed with bluster however was despatched packing within the first spherical with a shock loss to qualifier and compatriot Brandon Holt.
“I was playing well and there was no Novak (Djokovic) and I just genuinely believed that I had a good chance of winning the US Open – and I went out in the first round,” Fritz mentioned.
“You’ve got to just really take it one match at a time, and that’s what I plan on doing, but I definitely believe the way I’ve been playing the level is there to make it really deep.”
Fuelling his perception, Fritz was instrumental in main Team USA to victory within the United Cup, his 6-1 6-4 thumping of German star Alexander Zverev a spotlight.
He wrapped up preparations with a stable outing on the Kooyong Classic, overcoming younger Australian Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (7-4) 6-1.
“I can’t really start the year much better – I got five really good matches and a lot of confidence,” the Californian mentioned.
“It’s a lot like what happened last year when I had a couple of matches at ATP Cup, got a great training week in and then started the tournament. So it’s perfect.”
Fritz was promoted to eighth seed at Melbourne Park following withdrawal of world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, which means he avoids the prospect of working right into a higher-ranked rival earlier than the quarter-finals.
He will tackle Georgian veteran Nikoloz Basilashvili within the first spherical.
Having ticked off his 2022 aim of reaching the highest 10, Fritz mentioned a grand slam semi-final or last was on his checklist for this 12 months.
While he hit a career-high rating, Fritz felt he might have been greater however for a stress fracture in his foot which interrupted his 12 months.
He nonetheless managed to win three ATP titles, together with Indian Wells, whereas he stretched Rafael Nadal to 5 epic units within the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
“I want to be top-five ranking wise, and results wise I want to have a big result at a grand slam, that’s kind of what’s missing right now,” Fritz mentioned.
“The level is definitely there – the question is going to be if the level is sustainable for five sets, because we’ve been playing two out of three.
“As far as two or three units goes it is undoubtedly been there and I’m undoubtedly able to make that leap however I do not wish to put an excessive amount of strain on myself, that is what I did it on the US Open.”
