Roger Federer's ex-coach, Paul Annacone, noticed an important change Taylor Fritz made this season that helped him have the best year of his career.
Fritz's last match of 2024 was a victory against Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinal of the Davis Cup Finals. However, Team USA still crashed out of the tournament after a hugely controversial doubles decision by captain Bob Bryan.
That should not distract from Fritz's superb season. He played the best tennis of his career to finish 2024 as the world No. 4, one place above Daniil Medvedev. That is the 27-year-old's highest-ever ranking.
Fritz's most notable achievement was reaching the US Open final. That run included victories against Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud and an epic five-set semifinal triumph against compatriot Frances Tiafoe.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner proved too strong in the final. The Italian defeated Fritz in straight sets, who was emotional after he could not become the first American man to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Fritz also reached the final of the ATP Finals. His run was similar to the US Open: He defeated Alexander Zverev, but Sinner was too good in the final once again and secured the title on home soil in Turin.
Although Fritz has been a very good player for several players, the Grand Slam finalist's consistency throughout 2024 was the best of his career. He dug in to win several matches.
Annacone told the Tennis Channel's Inside-In Podcast that winning matches when not playing outstanding tennis used to be one of Fritz's weaknesses, but he got much better at getting through scrappy contests in 2024.
"Taylor's winning a lot of matches playing average tennis for him, whereas, before that what happened, I think it would frustrate him because his level wasn't high enough."
"Now, he's realizing, 'I can get through these matches play average tennis for me, and give myself a chance to move further along in the week and then I'll play better in the big matches. It hasn't been one match."
Federer's ex-coach, who is American himself, said he was very proud of Fritz for learning that skill and for his achievements throughout 2024, and thinks the US Open runner-up now feels he belongs on the biggest stages.
"It's a conglomeration of all these big moments that he's looking more and more comfortable. And now rightfully so, he feels that he belongs here. I'm just really proud of him, the way he's going through his process to get to where he is and the fact that he has been so resilient..."
Fritz's huge serve and formidable hitting meant his talent had never been doubted. However, resilience and grinding out victories were not viewed as one of the American No. 1's strengths before 2024.
The eight-time ATP title winner's 2024 has changed those perceptions. He fought through several tough matches and built a new level of resilience that is sure to serve him well in 2025 and beyond.