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Taylor Fritz says it's a dream come true. He's in the final of the US Open and promises to give it his all to lift the trophy.
Sat 7 September 2024
Taylor Fritz on-court interview following his win against Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open.nnTaylor Fritz says it's a dream come true. He's in the final of the US Open and promises to give it his all to lift the trophy.nnChristopher Eubanks:nWell, Taylor, that was an incredible effort, physically, mentally. Frances came out and played some really good tennis to get up two sets to love, and you stayed with it, you stayed true to your—two sets to one, sorry. You stayed with it, you stayed true.nWhat were the keys in order for you to be able to turn that match around?nnTaylor Fritz:nHe was—I mean, he was overwhelming from the baseline so much. He was taking the ball so early, changing lines so well. It was just, like, really overwhelming.nAnd I just tried to tell myself to stay in it and fight to just hold my serve and kind of just apply that scoreboard pressure as much as possible. I told myself that if I didn't give it absolutely everything I had to just stick with it and see if, you know, his level might drop a little bit, then I was going to regret it for a long time. So I just did everything I could to just stay in it.nnChristopher Eubanks :nYou know, you said that, you know, you told yourself to stay in it, but I looked over at your coaching box a little bit, and Michael Russell, who's usually one of the most calm, cool, and collected coaches, seemed to get really, really into it. Did hearing him kind of, you know, give you that energy, did that also play a part in kind of turning that momentum and getting your energy level up?nnTaylor Fritz:nI mean, I think a big thing was a lot of these points that were being played where I felt like I wasn't really doing anything wrong and I was just getting overwhelmed. I was freaking out a little bit, and, you know, he kind of just told me to keep doing what I was doing, and he kind of just accepted that's okay and keep making him do it, and I think that, you know, it helped me just calm me down and reaffirm I was doing the right thing.nnChristopher Eubanks :nWell, you did the right thing, and you also did something else that's incredibly special. Tonight you became the first American man in 18 years to advance to the final of the US Open. I know how hard you work, and I know how much you've put into this moment right here.nWhen you hear that, that you'll be playing in the final of the US Open come Sunday, what goes through your mind?nnTaylor Fritz:nI mean, it's the reason why I do what I do. It's the reason why I work so hard. It's, uh, I mean, I'm in the final of the US Open.nnChristopher Eubanks :nI'm sure it's a dream come true. You're going to have a couple days to kind of get ready for it, but I got to ask, in that final of the U.S. Open, you will face Yannick Center. I want to get your thoughts on that match and what you look forward to doing over the next 48 hours to prepare for the final on Sunday.nnTaylor Fritz:nLike I said, it's a dream come true. I'm in the final, so I'm going to come out, and I'm going to give everything I possibly have, and I know that's for a fact. I'm going to give it everything I can possibly give it, so I can't wait.nnChristopher Eubanks :nAnd I know this crowd in New York will be behind you 100%. Ladies and gentlemen, our number one American and US Open finalist, Taylor Fritz.