Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda tipped as frontrunners in American tennis glory by former World No. 4 Mary Joe Fernandez

Former American tennis player Mary Joe Fernandez believes compatriots Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda have got what it takes to soar to the top in the sport.

Taylor Fritz has been a trailblazer for a brigade of current American tennis players, who have tried to make their mark in the sport of late by following the American No. 1’s path.

Former singles and doubles World No. 4, and ESPN tennis analyst Mary Joe Fernandez took note of Taylor Fritz’s recent success and stated that the 25-year-old is self-confident and is mentally the strongest among his countrymen.

“I feel like Taylor Fritz believes that he can do it. Mentally, he is perhaps the strongest,” she recently said on the Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast.

Taylor Fritz had just one title to his name before his astonishing run at Indian Wells in 2022, where he defeated Rafael Nadal in the Masters 1000 final. The American went on to win two other titles in Eastbourne and Tokyo and made his debut inside the World’s Top 10 to conclude the season.

The World No. 7 hasn’t slowed down in 2023, contributing to his American team’s glory at the United Cup and winning his fifth career title at the Delray Beach Open. He, however, hasn’t been as successful in the best-of-five Grand Slam tournaments, with his latest run at the Australian Open ending in Round 2.

“I think he is disappointed that the last two Majors, he hasn’t been able to perform his best, but I feel like when he goes out there, he thinks he belongs,” Mary Joe Fernandez observed, “And I think that’s obviously a big part of it. I like how much he’s improved. He’s got weapons.”

Fernandez also picked 22-year-old Sebastian Korda to soon make a breakthrough on the tennis circuit and remarked that she felt he was in with a chance at the 2023 Australian Open.

Sebastian Korda’s season started in stellar fashion, making his first final of the year at the Adelaide International 1. The American further reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2023 Australian Open, famously defeating 2021 and 2022 finalist Daniil Medvedev in the third round.

“I love Sebastian Korda. He’s got everything. He’s tall, his serve obviously can keep improving, but it was a lot better in Australia than it had been,” Mary Joe Fernandez said, “I feel like he can break through at any time. At one point in Australia, I thought, may be, ‘Wow! Could this be it? Could Australian Open be the one?’”

“So, I would put those two at the top,” she added referring to Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda.

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Apart from Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda, Mary Joe Fernandez applauds the performance of Tiafoe, Shelton and Paul

Tommy Paul defeated Ben Shelton in 2023 Australian Open quarterfinal

Apart from Taylor Fritz and Sebastian Korda, Mary Joe Fernandez has been impressed by a few other Americans shining through in recent times. She applauded Ben Shelton, who reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Australian Open in only his second Grand Slam main draw attempt.

“I love what we saw from Ben Shelton. He’s explosive, you know. He’s gonna be a real pain in the butt to play against,” she said.

She also praised Tommy Paul for making the semifinals of the tournament.

“I was really happy to see Tommy Paul play so well. I feel like mentally he’s gotten better too. When he’s more professional, he’s stronger, he’s playing smarter,” she said.

The former player touched upon Frances Tiafoe’s form and stated that if the athlete follows through with his commitment to the sport, he can do wonders.

“When he’s good, he’s so good!” she said “Can he sustain it? Can he just really stay professional, stay committed? If he can, then he can break through too.”