Michael Chang gives his honest opinion of Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe & other American ATP stars and their Grand Slam chances

Michael Chang recently assessed Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and other contemporary American ATP stars' chances of success at the Majors. Since Andy Roddick's resounding US Open triumph way back in 2003, no American man has been able to clinch a singles Major title.

American former ATP icon, Chang, himself won the 1989 French Open and to this day remains the youngest men's singles Major winner. The 52-year-old, currently working as Kei Nishikori's coach, is in Hong Kong for the ongoing 2025 Hong Kong Open. At a press conference, Chang voiced his optimism about American ATP stars like Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and others in the top 100 of the ATP Tour rankings.

"I do think that American tennis is looking pretty positive. We now have more guys in the Top 100 than we've had in a very, very long time. Taylor getting to the final of a US Open is a great confidence booster," Chang said.

The 34-time ATP Tour-level titlist though, admitted that reigning World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are the ones that the Americans have to beat in order to have any Grand Slam title aspirations.

"We're having a little bit of a changing of the guard, with Sinner and Alcaraz really taking the reins. You never know, we have the talent to be able to beat and challenge the best players in the world, they just have to do it on the grandest stages now," Chang concluded.

Frances Tiafoe is a two-time US Open semifinalist, having reached the semis of the 2022 and 2024 editions of the hardcourt Major. In 2022, Tiafoe fell to eventual champion Alcaraz in the last four and last year, he lost to compatriot Taylor Fritz.

Taylor Fritz was ultimately blown away by World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in 2024 US Open men's singles final. In the aftermath of the one-sided contest, the American apologized to the Flushing Meadows crowd.

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Taylor Fritz choked up, apologized to US Open 2024 final crowd over inability to break American men's singles Major drought

In Picture: Taylor Fritz (Source: Getty)

The 2024 US Open men's singles final was a big chance for Taylor Fritz to win his first Grand Slam title and also become the first American to win a Major since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open success. Unfortunately though, Jannik Sinner registered a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Fritz. While the American tried his best to keep pace with the Italian, the latter was simply more clinical and ruthless.

During the post-match trophy presentation ceremony, a visibly emotional Fritz apologized to the crowd, which included Taylor Swift and the pop icon's boyfriend Travis Kelce.

"I know you've been waiting for a (American) champion for a long time, so I'm sorry I couldn't get it done this time, but I'm going to keep working and hopefully I'll get it done next time, thank you," Fritz said.

Fritz also reached the final of the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals, but once again, came up second-best against Sinner. Right now, Fritz is fighting for the 2025 United Cup title, representing the USA alongside Coco Gauff and others. The star duo's performances have led to the USA sealing a semifinal spot.