"They were trying to break through, they've broken through" - Former tennis pro believes Tiafoe and Fritz will face more pressure due to their recent success

The scenario has now drastically changed for both Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz, believes tennis player-turned-commentator Mark Petchey. The former Briton player suggested that the dynamic American duo now face more pressure as they finally broke through at the highest level with their results last season, after a few years of trying to make a mark at the top.

Tiafoe, who is currently ranked No. 14 in the ATP rankings as opposed to being outside the Top-30 exactly 12 months ago, turned many heads with his 2022 US Open run, during which he beat Rafael Nadal en route to the semifinals. Meanwhile, Fritz enjoyed an incredible year himself, winning three titles, including the Indian Wells Masters, and breaking into the Top-10.

Both players had a mixed bag of starts to the 2023 season, being part of the winning team at the inaugural United Cup before losing early at the Australian Open. With more eyeballs on them now than ever before in light of their recent successes, Petchey feels the duo now have different challenges ahead of them.

"For both Frances and Taylor, right now it's a very different scenario," Mark Petchey said on the Tennis Channel Inside-In Podcast. They were trying to break through, they've broken through.""Semis of the US Open for Frances, obviously the pressure was ongoing into that."

In light of their respective Australian Open hiccups, Petchey stressed that losses are part and parcel of the sport, and while both Tiafoe and Fritz will also experience losses every now and then, their reactions to those situations will be crucial. Petchey urged the two players to draw inspiration from each other and their colleagues on the tour, who are also tasting success.

"These guys are going to have a few losses, but when they look at the people around them who suddenly have a great week, that's going to inspire them even more," Petchey further expressed."That's going to be more important than the wins they have, (that) when they have the losses, its the inspiration they can draw from each other."

Reflecting on Fritz's Australian Open campaign, Petchey opined that the American No. 1's loss was simply a case of him coming up against a highly in-form player in Alexei Popyrin.

"Alexei played great...Sometimes guys get hot and when it's someone as good as Alexei is, it was tough for Taylor. It's one of those little blips that you're going to have at times," Petchey said on the same