At long last, it looks like an American man has a legitimate chance to win a Grand Slam singles title for the first time since Andy Roddick at the 2003 U.S. Open.
Yes, that’s 23 years ago. And no American man has won one since.
Of the top 16 favorites to lift the trophy in New York, six hail from the host nation. The group includes Ben Shelton (+900), Taylor Fritz (+1200), Frances Tiafoe (+3500), Tommy Paul (+4000), Brandon Nakashima (+5000), and Learner Tien (+6000). Shelton won a Masters 1000 title earlier this month in Montreal, Tiafoe finished runner-up last weekend in Cincinnati, and Nakashima is on fire (lost to Shelton in the Montreal final before advancing to the Cincy semis).
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“I’m picking Big Ben,” ESPN tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe said in a zoom call with U.S. Open media to promote ESPN’s coverage of the tournament. “I’m going for it. I like Shelton to win the Open…. I’d put Shelton as the top guy (among the American men). For me, he’s the best chance with his serve. I liked what I saw from him a lot in Canada. I thought the return game looked a lot better. To me, that’s always been the thing that he’s got to improve upon the most if he wants to win one of these big ones.”
McEnroe doubled down on his Shelton pick while commentating for ESPN during Tuesday night’s exhibition event in Arthur Ashe Stadium starring Roger Federer.
As well as Shelton and the rest of the top American men are playing right now, their chances have more to do with what is happening at the top of the ATP rankings. Jannik Sinner is not playing in New York due to a knee injury. Carlos Alcaraz is playing for the first time since April after finally recovering from a wrist injury. Novak Djokovic is a huge question mark at 39 years old and has not looked good in recent appearances. Alexander Zverev has defeated only one top-10 player this entire season.
“This is a golden opportunity (for an American),” McEnroe confirmed. “Obviously if Alcaraz comes back and gets through a few matches, looks good, he’ll quickly become the favorite…. (But) he hasn’t played since the spring. (And) with Sinner out, this is a monster opportunity.”
If an American wins it it’s 100% Shelton