Taylor Fritz is looking for an immediate return to success following his agonising defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Masters.

Fritz lost to Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the French capital, where the Spaniard went on to lift the trophy. Alcaraz beat Shelton, another American, in the final after knocking out Casper Ruud in the semifinals.

However, he only just made it past Fritz, who blew two match points during his meeting with the Spaniard. The American took the first set, but was quickly blown away in sets two and three as he lost 7-6(12-10), 5-7, 3-6.

Former player Rennae Stubbs has now analysed the dramatic defeat, honing in on one specific moment of their thrilling Paris Masters clash. In light of his shortcomings, she has suggested one area is holding Fritz back from winning a Grand Slam title.

What is preventing Taylor Fritz from winning a Grand Slam?

Taylor Fritz told he can win a Grand Slam title if he fixes his net game

Sharing her dismay at Fritz not playing a volley at match point on his serve, the former doubles star said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast: “You could have hit a backhand volley anywhere in the court and you win the match. I was watching that match with Lisa Raymond, my great mate, former doubles partner and great serve-and-volleyer.

“We both stood and looked at each other and said ‘how do you not hit a volley?’ It is impossible to lose that point, therefore the match, if you just hit it out of the air. I just could not believe it. I went back and I paused it in the moment that the ball was almost over the net and Carlos was outside the doubles alley at this point. It is impossible to lose that point.

“I have said it for years and years and years. The reason why Taylor Fritz will not win a major unless Carlos and Sinner are out of the draw is if he does not improve his net game. The amount of times Carlos Alcaraz came up with an incredible volley was endless compared to Taylor. Taylor, fix your net game and you can win a major!”

Fritz won 11 of his 21 net points during the match, translating to 52%, while Alcaraz finished with a figure of 80% (16/20). The Spaniard is a seven-time Grand Slam champion at the age of 23, while the 29-year-old American lost his only Grand Slam final at the 2024 US Open.

As mentioned, Fritz is a one-time Grand Slam finalist, but he came up short against Jannik Sinner at his home major. The Italian won 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in New York two years ago. It still stands as the American’s best-ever Grand Slam finish. Elsewhere, the world number 10 has made it to the semifinals of Wimbledon, the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, and the fourth round of the French Open.

The 2026 Grand Slam season was particularly disappointing, with Fritz unable to better a Wimbledon quarterfinal run. Having just turned 29, it remains to be seen if he will ever get over the line at a major, although he can take confidence from Alexander Zverev. The German claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at this year’s French Open at the same age, before going on to repeat that success at the US Open.