Home » Rafael Nadal is passed by Taylor Fritz, who then follows Andy Roddick.

On Monday, Taylor Fritz, 25, will enter the top five for the first time. The American will surpass Rafael Nadal for the first time in his career on the ATP ranking list, making him the first representative of his nation to join the elite group since Andy Roddick in September 2009!

Following the US Open, Roddick dropped out of the top 5, and the USA had to wait 13 and a half years for another player to join them. Fritz, who won four ATP titles in the preceding 12 months, will make his top-5 debut.

The American player visited Indian Wells last year ranked 20th in the world and advanced all the way to win the first significant trophy in front of the home crowd. Taylor defeated Rafael Nadal in the championship match, coming back from an injury to win in straight sets and earn 1000 ATP points for his career.

Fritz had the opportunity to perform better during the following three months, winning seven of his last 13 games before claiming the title in Eastbourne. In Wimbledon, Taylor defeated four opponents to set up his match against Rafa in the quarterfinals.

On Monday, Taylor Fritz will move into the top 5.

With the Spaniard winning 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, and 7-6 in four hours and 21 minutes, they ended up being a memorable one. Despite having an abdominal rupture, Nadal gave it his all to win the match. Taylor and Rafa faced 14 break opportunities, won 168 points apiece, and hit the same number of winners.

The youthful player pushed everything he could to secure the victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the first two sets before fading in the final minutes of sets four and five. They started the fifth set with strong serving before Rafa won the fourth break opportunity with a drop shot for 4-3.

With a backhand crosscourt winner in the following game, Taylor broke back and increased his lead to 5-4. Rafa hit a flawless volley winner at the net to tie the score at 5-5 while serving to stay in the game. Nadal held at love with a service winner to withstand Fritz’s ace down the T line and force a tie break. Fritz won the 11th game.

With a forced error, Rafa increased his lead to 3-0 before Taylor cut the gap to 5-3. During a long rally and a successful volley, Nadal took the lead 7-3. Six match opportunities were available to Nadal after a forehand winner down the line at 8-3, and he converted the second one with a forehand winner to win the match.

After losing early in the US Open, Fritz won the title and made it into the top 10 in Tokyo. Taylor made his ATP Finals debut in Turin, when he beat Rafael Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime on his way to the semifinals.

After a fierce battle to advance to the final against Novak Djokovic, the American lost 7-6, 7-6. In 2023, Taylor has a winning record of 11-3. He guided the USA to victory in the first United Cup and won the first ATP title of the year in Delray Beach.

Fritz will compete in Acapulco the following week for the first time as a top-5 player and hopes to continue his successful season.