Taylor Fritz arrived at the 2025 Shanghai Masters aiming to build on what has already been another standout season, coming off a strong hard-court campaign that included a final appearance at the Japan Open just the week before. The American star had been vocal about his ambition to climb the rankings, stating before the tournament that he believed finishing the year as World No. 3 was a “tough goal, but I think it’s possible.”

His journey in Shanghai began with a hard-fought second-round victory against Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, a match he won 2-6, 7-6(7-4), 7-6(7-1). While that victory advanced him in the tournament, it also secured a much larger, historic milestone.

On X, Tennis reported: “Taylor Fritz has become the FIRST AMERICAN MAN IN 20 YEARS to win 50 or more matches for three consecutive seasons, having won 54 in 2023, 53 in 2024 and now 50 in 2025.”

Fritz’s accomplishment highlights a period of sustained excellence that has returned American men’s tennis to the forefront of the sport. His career trajectory shows this building success, with his win-loss record improving from 34-22 in 2021 to a career-best 54-23 in 2023, a level he has maintained since.

This amazing win didn’t happen without some challenges. After dropping the first set, Fritz found himself on the back foot against a determined Marozsan. The Hungarian, who took down Stan Wawrinka in the first round, started off strong and played aggressively and effectively. But, you know, Fritz really showed the kind of resilience that’s been a hallmark of his career.

Being able to pull off wins even on off days has really been crucial for building those solid win totals that now mark his spot in American tennis history. Fritz is really on a roll in 2025! This win adds to his impressive year, where he’s already made it to the Wimbledon semifinals and snagged two ATP titles. So, remember when he lost to Alcaraz last time? The Spaniard had a specific message for the American after that match.

Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz have nothing but respect for each other

Taylor Fritz used to be a champion in Tokyo. In 2022, he snagged the title by beating his fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe, so it was tough for him to miss out on a second trophy after making it to the final. Even though he got beaten by Alcaraz in straight sets, the 27-year-old paused to appreciate his overall performance this season. He shared on social media, “Thank you Tokyo & all the fans in Japan for an incredible week Japan🙏🏻 Congrats to Carlos Alcaraz on another title. Solid week for me here and happy to make another final. Until next time ✌🏻”

Even though Alcaraz took the win in the final, he still gave a shoutout to Taylor for a fantastic run in Tokyo, saying, “Great week Taylor! 🙏🏽” But this isn’t the first time Alcaraz has praised Fritz’s skills on the court. He totally gave him props, even when the American took him down at the Laver Cup in San Francisco. Even though he lost to Fritz in straight sets, he admitted, “I think he played some great tennis. I feel like he was more on the court than me.”

This bond really highlights the respect they have for one another. They might be rivals on the court, but there’s definitely more to their relationship than just competition.