US OPEN. N.Y. – By Leo Canaparo. Photo courtesy USTA
The wait has lasted more than two decades. As the 2026 US Open gets underway today at Flushing Meadows, American tennis once again looks toward its leading men with hope, expectation and a question that has become increasingly significant: can a home player finally lift the trophy?
The last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick, who captured the US Open in 2003. Since then, the United States has produced outstanding players, finalists and consistent Top 10 competitors, but the country’s men’s tennis has been unable to conquer one of the sport’s four major tournaments.
Now, with the US Open returning to New York and the hard-court season reaching its most important moment, the opportunity appears more realistic than it has in many years.
Among the leading American hopes are Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, three very different players who represent three different ways of trying to end a 23-year drought.
BEN SHELTON: THE EXPLOSIVE X-FACTOR
If there is one American player capable of producing tennis that can overwhelm virtually anyone on a hard court, it is Ben Shelton.
The powerful left-hander possesses one of the most dangerous serves in the game, extraordinary athleticism and an attacking mentality that makes him particularly exciting on the fast courts of the US Open. His ability to generate pace with his forehand and attack the net gives him a dimension that many players do not possess.
Shelton’s greatest strength may also be his unpredictability. When he is playing with confidence, his game can become extremely difficult to control.
The challenge, however, is sustaining that level over two demanding weeks. Winning a Grand Slam requires more than spectacular shot-making. It requires patience, emotional control and the ability to find solutions on days when the tennis is not perfect.
But Shelton has already demonstrated that he belongs among the sport’s elite. In New York, with the energy of the American crowd behind him, he could be one of the most dangerous players in the draw.
TAYLOR FRITZ: EXPERIENCE AND BELIEF
Taylor Fritz may represent the most experienced and established American candidate. Over the past several seasons, Fritz has consistently positioned himself among the world’s leading players. His powerful serve, aggressive baseline game and improved ability to compete in long, physical matches have made him a legitimate threat on the biggest stages.
Perhaps his greatest advantage is experience. Fritz knows what it feels like to go deep at the US Open. He reached the final in 2024, an experience that could prove invaluable as he attempts to make another run in New York. Having already lived through the pressure of the biggest matches, he arrives with a better understanding of what is required.
His game is particularly suited to hard courts. When his first serve is working and his forehand is controlling the rhythm of rallies, Fritz can dictate play against almost anyone. The question is whether he can maintain his highest level against the very best players over seven matches. But if there is one American player who enters the tournament with the experience and maturity necessary to handle the demands of a Grand Slam campaign, Fritz certainly belongs at the top of the list.
TOMMY PAUL: ATHLETICISM AND ALL-COURT TENNIS
Tommy Paul brings something different to the American challenge. Perhaps the most complete mover among the country’s leading players, Paul has developed into an extremely versatile competitor. His speed, court coverage and ability to transition from defense to attack make him a difficult opponent on any surface.
Unlike some of the biggest servers and power hitters in the game, Paul often builds his victories through consistency, intelligence and athleticism. He is comfortable extending rallies, changing direction and forcing opponents to play one extra ball. That style can be particularly valuable during a Grand Slam tournament, where physical endurance becomes increasingly important as the rounds progress.For Paul, the challenge is producing enough aggressive tennis against the very biggest hitters. To win the US Open, he may need to defeat several players capable of taking control of a match with overwhelming power.
THE PRESSURE OF HISTORY
The absence of an American men’s Grand Slam champion since Roddick’s triumph in New York in 2003 has become one of the most remarkable statistics in modern tennis. There have been opportunities.
American players have reached finals, semifinals and the later stages of major tournaments. Fritz’s run to the US Open final in 2024 was another reminder that the breakthrough could be close. But crossing the final line and winning seven matches against the best players in the world is an entirely different challenge.The pressure of playing at home also adds another dimension.
At the US Open, American players are surrounded by enormous crowds, media attention and expectations from the very beginning. The support can provide energy and confidence, but it can also create additional pressure.
That is why mental strength may be just as important as serving power or forehand speed.
A REAL OPPORTUNITY?
The 2026 US Open arrives with a particularly open men’s field. Injuries and uncertainty surrounding some of the sport’s biggest names have created an opportunity for other contenders to believe that the trophy is within reach. The Americans are not the overwhelming favorites, and the road will still include major obstacles. Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic and several other world-class players remain serious threats. However, this may be one of the best opportunities American men’s tennis has had in years.
Shelton has the explosive game capable of producing something extraordinary. Fritz has the experience of a previous US Open final and the consistency of an established elite player. Paul has the athleticism and versatility to survive the physical battles that define a Grand Slam.
And there are other American players capable of making noise as well.
For the United States, the dream is simple: to see one of its own players walk onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on the final Sunday and finally lift the trophy that Andy Roddick last raised in 2003.
After more than two decades of waiting, American men’s tennis arrives at the US Open with genuine reasons for optimism.
The question now is whether one of its leading stars can transform that hope into history.